Development and psychometric properties of the Glasgow Depression Scale for people with a Learning Disability. Individual and carer supplement versions.
BACKGROUND
There is no reliable and valid self-report measure of depressive symptoms for people with learning disabilities.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a scale for individuals with learning disability, and a supplementary scale for carers.


METHODS
Items were generated from a range of assessment scales and through focus groups. A draft scale was piloted and field tested using matched groups of people with or without depression, and their carers. The scale was also administered to a group without learning disabilities for criterion validation.


RESULTS
The Glasgow Depression Scale for people with a Learning Disability (GDS-LD) differentiated depression and non-depression groups, correlated with the Beck Depression Inventory - II (r=0.88), had good test-retest reliability (r=0.97) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.90), and a cut-off score (13) yielded 96% sensitivity and 90% specificity. The Carer Supplement was also reliable (r=0.98; alpha=0.88), correlating with the GDS-LD (r=0.93).


CONCLUSIONS
Both scales appear useful for screening, monitoring progress and contributing to outcome appraisal.
Cuthill
Fiona M
FM
University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Espie
Colin A
CA
Cooper
Sally-Anne
SA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity