Geriatric Depression Scale for community-dwelling older adults in Nepal

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the use of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the GDS Short Form (GDS-15) in community-dwelling Nepalese older adults. Methods. Cross-sectional samples of 247 male and 242 female Nepalese older adults aged ≥60 years who lived with at least one married son, were able to communicate in Nepali, and were not cognitively impaired were included. Data were collected in September 2006 using face-toface structured questionnaires. Depressive symptoms were measured using the GDS. The GDS-15 scores were then calculated. Results. The GDS and GDS-15 had a good Cronbach’s alpha (r=0.964, p<0.001). After a one-week interval, the intraclass correlation coefficients for GDS and GDS-15 were 0.75 and 0.86, respectively. The correlations between cut-off points of both scales were high. Life satisfaction index was negatively correlated with the GDS scores (r= -0.745, p<0.001) and with the GDS-15 scores (r= -0.562, p<0.001), indicating divergent validity. The GDS showed a 6-factor model, whereas the GDS-15 showed a 2-factor model with a good fit (GFI=0.928, AGFI=0.903, RMSEA=0.062). Depression was significantly more severe with increasing age (p<0.001), female gender (p<0.001), widows/widowers (p<0.001), and illiteracy (p<0.001). Conclusion. The GDS and GDS-15 were reliable and valid instruments to measure depression among community-dwelling Nepalese older adults.