Geriatric Depression Scale
The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) (Yesavage et al., 1982-1983) is a scale for depression and anxiety, both mood disorders. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) consists of 30 items and takes under 10 minutes to complete. It is designed to measure depression in the elderly, primarily as a screening instrument. The GDS has a forced choice (yes/no) response format, enabling users to complete the scale with very little cognitive involvement, which provides some accessibility to test-takers with cognitive dysfunction. GDS total scores are calculated by counting responses flagged for indicating depression. The total score ranges from 0 (no depression) to 30 (severe depression). The 30 questions chosen for the GDS were identified by paring down 100 questions in preliminary studies. All items are highly inter-correlated (the alpha coefficient was 0.94), which suggests high internal consistency. This is offered as a free assessment online, with full scoring and interpretation, intended for research and education purposes only.
Source:
Parmelee, Patricia A., Lawton, M. Powell, & Katz, Ira R. (1989). Psychometric properties of the Geriatric Depression
Scale among the institutionalized aged. Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,
Vol 1(4), 331-338. doi: 10.1037/1040-3590.1.4.331
Yesavage, J. A., Brink, T. L., Rose, T. L., Lum, O., Huang, V., Adey, M., & Leirer, O. (1983). Geriatric Depression
Scale [Database record].
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