Detecting depression in hospitalized older adults: Validating the use of screening instruments to identify depression

The purpose of this research was to conduct a validation study of 3 depression measures to examine the effectiveness of these measures in detecting depression in a hospitalized older adult population. Depression in hospitalized older adults represents a significant health concern that negatively affects functioning and increases suicide risks and morbidity and mortality rates. Previous research indicated that a lack of recognition of depression in older adults exists and may be due to how depression is measured in hospitalized older adults. Research has shown that while validated measures of depression in older adults exist, many hospitals choose to utilize their own screening tools to measure depression or do not measure depression at all. This quantitative study compared a hospital measure of depression, the Interval Nursing Assessment (INA) to validated measures of depression to determine its validity. Consistent with Beck's cognitive triad theory, measures of hopelessness, loneliness, and life satisfaction were used to validate this hospital measure of depression. Seventy-five older adult inpatients hospitalized with a primary medical diagnosis completed the INA, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck's Hopelessness Scale (BHS), the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Results revealed that the INA was not a valid measure of depression. While the BDI and GDS revealed depression in this sample, the INA did not detect depression in any participants. Both the BDI and GDS showed good validity in this sample. Suggestions are made to improve the recognition of depression in hospitalized older adults. This study can contribute to social change by improving the recognition and measurement of depression through optimal screening.