Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
A Validity and Reliability Study of the Japanese Version of the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS-15-J)
Kazuyuki Sugishita1,2, Morihiro Sugishita3, Isao Hemmi4
1a Oji Mental Clinic , Tokyo , Japan.
Objective:
The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) is one of the most widely used screening instruments for depression among the elderly. The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the GDS-15 (GDS-15-J) in comparison with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for depression.
Methods:
The study participants were 128 elderly outpatients (age range, 55 to 92 years) categorized into two groups (76 non-depressive patients, 52 depressive patients) based on the DSM-IV-TR criteria for depression.
Results:
Logistic regression analysis showed that regardless of age and sex, the GDS-15-J score could be used to screen patients for depression (p < .001). The validity of the GDS-15-J for depression assessed against DSM-IV-TR criteria was excellent based on receiver operating characteristic analysis (optimal cutoff point: 6/7; sensitivity: .98; specificity: .86). The recommended optimal cutoff score when screening for depression is 6/7. To evaluate the constructive validity of the GDS-15-J, factor analysis was performed. Three factors were extracted. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was .83 to the GDS-15-J scale, which indicated a high degree of internal consistency.
Conclusion:
The GDS-15-J is a clinically applicable screening instrument for depression.
Clinical Implications:
In this study this version of the GDS-15-J displayed excellent psychometric properties using a 6/7 cut off. Analyses suggest some items that might be removed in future studies of an abbreviated scale.
Related Concept Videos
Reliability and Validity
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Long-term Depression

