[Structure of the Behavior Observation Scale-Geriatrics]

The GOS-G is a rating scale for describing the behaviour of demented elderly, old psychiatric inpatients and non-degenerative organic psychiatric patients. The scale lacked a reliable grouping of the 34 items. Therefore a factor analysis was performed on 205 patients belonging to the aforementioned groups (mean age = 69.6 y). The analysis resulted in nine dimensions (explained variance = 67.8%): Mobility, Social activity, Aggressive and suspicious behaviour, Cognition, ADL, Psychotic behaviour, Disoriented behaviour, Restless at night, and Depressive and anxious behaviour. The internal consistency measure alpha (N = 205) and the test-retest reliability (N = 34; interval 1 month) of the total scale were both .87 each. The internal consistency of the subscales varied from .60 to .86 and the stability from .42 to .93. The GOS-G-behavioursubscales differentiated significantly between demented elderly, old psychiatric inpatients and patients with non-degenerative organic dysfunctions.