The preschool depression scale for teachers (ESDM 3-6): First validation results

A new scale (ESDM 3-6) devised to detect symptoms of preschool depression from information provided by teachers is presented, along with preliminary validation results. A random stratified sample of 436 preschool children was used, the sampling unit being the classroom. The reliability of ESDM 3-6 was tested and its con-current validity with GRASP-M was assessed. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for ESDM 3-6 as a whole was 0.81. Pearson's correlation coefficient between ESDM 3-6 and GRASP-M was 0.84 (p<0.0005). ESDM 3-6 should be considered as a screening instrument for epidemiological studies of depressive symptomatology at the preschool stage and also as a useful complementary instrument for the assessment of preschool depressive symptomatology. Copyright © 2003 Psicothema.