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Confirmatory factor analysis of the geriatric depression scale
- Authors:
- ADAMS Kathryn Betts, MATTON Holly C., SANDERS Sara
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 44(6), December 2004, pp.818-826.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is widely used in clinical and research settings to screen older adults for depressive symptoms. Although several exploratory factor analytic structures have been proposed for it, no independent confirmation has been made available that would enable investigators to confidently identify scores for the subdimensions of depression represented it. This article describes a confirmatory factor analysis of the 30-item GDS, with the factor structure based on an exploratory principal components analysis published earlier. The original study sample consisted of 327 community-dwelling adults aged 65–94. The confirmatory factor analysis was performed on data from an independent sample of 294 adults aged 60–98 residing in retirement facilities. The proposed final measurement model uses 26 items from the GDS in 5 factors and obtains a goodness-of-fit index of .90. The resulting distinct subdimensions are dysphoric mood, withdrawal–apathy–vigour, hopelessness, cognitive and anxiety. Although results should be considered preliminary, the use of these 5 subdimensions as subscales for scoring purposes may improve the precision and utility of the GDS as an assessment tool for older adults in health, mental health, and research contexts.
Reported coping strategies and depressive symptoms among African American and White residents of congregate housing
- Authors:
- ADAMS Kathryn Betts, ROBERTS Amy Restorick
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 53(6), August 2010, pp.473-494.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
One hundred and sixty six residents living in one of six independent living or assisted living Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Northeast Ohio completed self-administered surveys and took part in follow-up telephone interviews. Among the participants, 23% identified as African American and 77% as White; 78.3% were women; 81.2% were not married or living with a partner; the average age was 82.9 years with more than two thirds of participants aged 80 years or older. The mean total score on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was 6.44 (range 0-23). The Older Americans Resource Scale for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) measure identified that 60% of respondents needed some help with housework, 35% with meal preparation, 15% with handling finances, and 60% with taking medications. On average participants rated their health as slightly above good. The most commonly reported coping strategies for the total sample were positive adaptive attitudes and behaviours, mentioned by 75.3%. Next most common were activity participation (39.2%) and reliance on socio-economic support (38.6%). Despite demographic differences between African Americans and White participants, reported coping for the two groups was similar, though more African Americans reported spiritual coping. Participants who reported coping through either positive attitude and adaptations or activity participation had fewer depressive symptoms after controlling for demographics, health, functioning, and other types of coping. Implications for social work practice are discussed.