Geriatric Depression Scale – Long Form (GDS-LF)
A 30-item self-report screening instrument designed to assess depression symptoms in older adults.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Geriatric Depression Scale – Long Form (GDS-LF) was developed by Jerome A. Yesavage, T. L. Brink, Rose, Lum, Huang, Adey, Leirer (1983). It is designed to measure Depression. The scale is intended for use with Older adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 30 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a dichotomous Yes/No format.
The scale includes 10 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 30. Interpretation guidelines:
- Normal: 0 – 9
- Mild Depression: 10 – 19
- Severe Depression: 20 – 30
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.94.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.