Even Briefer Assessment Scale for Depression – EBAS-DEP
A brief 8-item screening instrument designed to detect depression in older adults.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Even Briefer Assessment Scale for Depression – EBAS-DEP was developed by N. Allen, D. Ames, D. Ashby, K. Bennetts, V. Tuckwell, C. West (1994). It is designed to measure Depression. The scale is intended for use with Older adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 8 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = No / Favorable response, 1 = Yes / Depressive symptom.
The scale includes 2 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 8. Interpretation guidelines:
- Depression unlikely: 0 – 2
- Depression likely (suggests clinical depression): 3 – 8
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Sensitivity 91%, Specificity 82%.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 2 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.