gds15_depression_screen: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)

Description

Calculates the score for the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form). This 15-item screening tool is designed specifically for older adults. Responses are binary (Yes/No), and the scoring algorithm accounts for reverse-coded items where a negative answer indicates depression.

Usage

gds15_depression_screen(satisfied_with_life, dropped_activities, life_empty,
                        often_bored, good_spirits, afraid_something_bad,
                        happy_most_time, often_helpless, prefer_stay_home,
                        memory_problems, wonderful_alive, worthless,
                        full_energy, hopeless, others_better_off)

Arguments

satisfied_with_life	Numeric (0 or 1). Are you basically satisfied with your life? (1=Yes, 0=No). Note: 0 scores 1 point.
dropped_activities	Numeric (0 or 1). Have you dropped many of your activities and interests? (1=Yes, 0=No).
life_empty	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you feel that your life is empty? (1=Yes, 0=No).
often_bored	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you often get bored? (1=Yes, 0=No).
good_spirits	Numeric (0 or 1). Are you in good spirits most of the time? (1=Yes, 0=No). Note: 0 scores 1 point.
afraid_something_bad	Numeric (0 or 1). Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you? (1=Yes, 0=No).
happy_most_time	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you feel happy most of the time? (1=Yes, 0=No). Note: 0 scores 1 point.
often_helpless	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you often feel helpless? (1=Yes, 0=No).
prefer_stay_home	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things? (1=Yes, 0=No).
memory_problems	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most? (1=Yes, 0=No).
wonderful_alive	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now? (1=Yes, 0=No). Note: 0 scores 1 point.
worthless	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now? (1=Yes, 0=No).
full_energy	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you feel full of energy? (1=Yes, 0=No). Note: 0 scores 1 point.
hopeless	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you feel that your situation is hopeless? (1=Yes, 0=No).
others_better_off	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you think that most people are better off than you are? (1=Yes, 0=No).

Value

A list containing:

GDS15_Score	The calculated total score (Range 0-15).
Interpretation	Clinical severity (Normal <=4, Mild 5-8, Moderate 9-11, Severe 12-15).

References

Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): recent evidence and development of a shorter version. Clin Gerontol. 1986;5(1/2):165-173.

Examples

# Example 1: Severe Depression
# Answered in the depressive direction for all questions
gds15_depression_screen(0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1)

# Example 2: Normal
# Answered in the positive/healthy direction for all questions
gds15_depression_screen(1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0)

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.