Concurrent Validity of Measures of Anxiety, Depression, and Somatization in Elderly, Demented, Male Patients

Abstract

The Geriatric Depression Scale, the state anxiety portion of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Wahler Physical Symptoms Inventory, and a short form of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory were read to 40 demented, elderly, male patients, who responded orally in a true-false format. The patients were also interviewed and rated on the Brief Outpatient Psychopathology Scale. The self-report measures of depression, anxiety, and somatization were found to be adequately related to corresponding interview ratings irrespective of the severity of cognitive deficits. These findings demonstrate that self-report tests can be used effectively with patients who would normally be excluded because of illiteracy, cognitive deficits, or sensory impairments.