Internal consistency and test-retest stability of the geriatric depression Scale-short form in African American older adults

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16 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is one of the most widely used self-rated mood questionnaires for older adults. It is highly correlated with clinical diagnoses of depression and has demonstrated validity across different patient populations. However, the reliability of the GDS among African American older adults remains to be firmly established. In a baseline sample of 401 African American adults age 51 and over, the GDS-15 item short form demonstrates good internal consistency (KR20=.71). Stability over a 15-month interval in a retest sample of 51 adults is deemed adequate (r=.68). These findings support the use of the GDS-15 item short form as a reliable mood questionnaire among African American older adults.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)412-416
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009

Keywords

  • African American
  • Depression
  • GDS
  • Geriatric depression scale
  • Reliability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology

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