Japanese American Elders and the Geriatric Depression Scale

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the reliability and utility of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) among a community sample of Japanese American elders (n = 131; 78 women and 53 men). The GDS evidenced high internal consistency and reliability (Cronbach's coefficient alpha of .86). The split-half reliability coefficient was .78. The findings suggest that the GDS may be reliable for use in screening depression among Japanese American elders.

Key Words:

• Japanese American
• depression
• Geriatric Depression Scale
• cross-cultural application