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The British Journal of Psychiatry (2003) 182: 347-353
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Development and psychometric properties of the Glasgow Depression Scale for people with a Learning Disability

Individual and carer supplement versions

FIONA M. CUTHILL, DClinPsy, COLIN A. ESPIE, PhD and SALLY-ANNE COOPER, FRCPsych

University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Correspondence: Professor Colin A. Espie, Department of Psychological Medicine, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0XH, UK. E-mail: c.espie{at}clinmed.gla.ac.uk

Declaration of interest None.

Background There is no reliable and valid self-report measure of depressive symptoms for people with learning disabilities.

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

Method 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.




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