The Development of a Brief Screening Instrument for Depression and Suicidal Ideation for Elderly: the Depression and Suicide Screen

This study aimed to develop a brief screen for depression & suicide ideation that can be easily administered in primary care settings. The validity & reliability of the Depression and Suicide Screen were examined among 382 elderly community residents, aged 64 & over, using the Short-Form Geriatric Depression Scale as the external criterion. The Depression and Suicide Screen was internally consistent. Its reliability in detecting depression & suicide ideation was 0.768 & 0.721, respectively. A reasonable level of sensitivity & specificity in identifying both depression & suicide ideation in the elderly was demonstrated. (20 refs.)