Post- Tania
Psychometric properties mean that a tool is valid and reliable. It means that it has to be accurate in assessing what it is meant to assess, and it should also be consistent in providing results (Asunta, Viholainen, Ahonen & Rintala, 2019). The psychometric properties of the GDS-15 has been assessed in different studies. In fact, in one study, these properties were assessed in regard to different elderly populations including those that are cognitively intact, those that are functionally impaired and primary care elderly patients that are community dwelling. The study established that the tool’s internal consistency reliability was moderate but acceptable. There was construct validity in the tool’s ability to measure depressed mood, suicidal ideation and life satisfaction. The ability of the tool to show the difference between patients that were depressed and those that were not depressed showed acceptable specificity and sensitivity. However, when it came to suicide attempt status, the scale showed significant weakness. In conclusion, the scholars pointed out that in all the geriatric populations that were included in the study, the scale showed impressive psychometric properties (Friedman, Heisel & Delavan, 2005).
