Validation and Clinical Utility of the PHQ-9 and CES-D as Depression Screening Tools in Collegiate Student-Athletes.

This was the first study to validate depression screening tools in the collegiate SA population. The results suggest cut-off scores on the PHQ-9 and CES-D in SA may need to be lowered when compared to those recommended for the general population and provide strong evidence for use as screeners to rule out depression. Referral and confirmatory testing should be implemented to confirm the presence of depression for SA scoring at or above cutoff thresholds. Given its brevity, inclusion of a suicidality/self-harm question, and evidence of LR-/NPV strength, the PHQ-9 is a practical and effective screener for the SA population.