Depressive symptom scales are one of a number of possible outcome variables. Earlier mentioned advantages of well-standardized measures like the CES-D include normative landmarks from general-population samples and the absence of reference to the work environment. Scales like the CES-D have another advantage absent in traditional stress and burnout measures. Because high scores on scales like the CES-D suggest elevated risk for affective illness and low scores decreased risk, these measures make it possible to add, economically, clinical case-finding procedures to research on occupational stress.