The 24 item depression coping Self-Efficacy scale ( DCSES ) was used to measure the subjects’ confidence in their ability to manage their depressive symptom and follow their treatment regimens. The item regarding coping self-efficacy were divided into three domains: seven negative cognitions items ( i.e., “ I am this percent confident ( 0-100 ) that I can recognize when I am blaming myself for my symptoms and try to stop.”); ten behaviors items ( i.e., “ I am this percent confident ( 0-100 ) that I can plan pleasant things to do in my free time.”), and seven somatic problems items ( i.e., “ I am this percent confident (0-100) that I can go to bed and get up at the same time every day .” ) subjects were asked to rate their degree of confidence or self-efficacy in managing tasks, specific to coping with depressive symptoms and its treatment, by writing down a numerical value that could range from 0= “ not at all confident” to 100 = “ completely confident.”
A total score was calculated by summing the numerical values of the responses and dividing by 24 to obtain an average score. A score less than 50 represented a low sense of self-efficacy, scores between 50 and 75 represented moderate self-efficacy, and a score more than 75 represented a high sense of self-efficacy. A high total score suggested a more positive sense of self-efficacy or confidence for coping with depression. Reliability of the DCSES, for this study, was 0.96