Scale Overview & Construct
15-item yes/no self-report screening tool for depressive symptoms in older adults.
Purpose & Measurement Objectives
Instrument Specifications
Scientific Documentation & Psychometric Rigor
Internal Consistency & Reliability
Published validation studies report high internal consistency and strong correlation with the full 30-item GDS.
Construct & Criterion Validity
Validated against clinical depression diagnoses in geriatric populations; widely used in gerontology and primary care.
Academic Citations
Sheikh, J. I., & Yesavage, J. A. (1986). Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Recent evidence and development of a shorter version. Clinical Gerontologist, 5(1-2), 165-173.
Academic Citation & Instrument Provenance
When referencing this instrument in research, academic theses, or clinical institutional audits, please cite the original author publication:
Governance, Boundaries & Ethical Use
Imported from the OpenScales open item-bank project. This specific digital implementation has not been independently clinically validated by PsiQ — scores are for self-reflection and educational purposes only, and are not a diagnosis.
License: CC BY 4.0. Citation: Yesavage et al. (1982); Sheikh & Yesavage (1986). This is not a diagnostic tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form)?
15-item yes/no self-report screening tool for depressive symptoms in older adults.
How long does the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form) take?
It takes about 6 minutes to answer all 15 questions. You can go at your own pace.
Is this test free, and is it available in Hindi?
Yes, it is free with a PsiQ account. The questions and answer options are available in English, Hindi and Hinglish.
Can this test diagnose a condition?
No. Online self-report scales are for self-reflection, education and research, not diagnosis. If you are worried about your mental health, please speak to a qualified mental-health professional.