AbstractThis study examined two possible patterns of ethnic differences in responses to Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale items: isolated differences in relatively disparate items and consistent differences in conceptually related items. Data were from randomly selected household residents (4,222 Mexican‐Americans, 1,063 non‐Hispanic Whites). The most common symptoms reflected lack of positive affect; least common were crying, feelings of failure, and feeling disliked. Mexican‐Americans were more likely than non‐Hispanic Whites to report symptoms that reflect lack of positive affect, which suggests possible limitations on this dimension's cross‐cultural validity. U.S.‐born Mexican‐Americans reported more somatic and negative affect symptoms than did the Mexican‐born, which suggests an overall immigration difference in