AbstractThe factorial and discriminant validity of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES‐D) scale was examined for a sample of 116 parents who were praticipating in family support programs designed to prevent child abuse and neglect. Participants' self‐reports of depressive symptoms as measured by the CES‐D were analyzed in relation to their self‐esteem (measured with the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem scale) and state and trait anxiety (measured with Spielberger's State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory). Factorial validity was adequate, and results indicated a moderate correlation between the CES‐D and self‐esteem and state anxiety. However, a high correlation was obtained between the CES‐D and trait anxiety, which suggests that the CES‐D measures in large part the related conceptual psychological domain of predisposit