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Theoretical framework: Depressive symptoms are common among the elderly, and it is important to have access to a reliable and easy-to-use screening scale. Objectives: To contribute to the validation of the Portuguese versions of the 15-item, 10-item and 5-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Methodology: The GDS-15 was hetero-applied to 889 elders, with a mean age of 78.02 years. The factor structure of the GDS-15 and the internal consistency of the three versions were analysed. Results: The three-factor solution of the GDS-15 explains 45.89% of the variance, but four items load on two factors. The internal consistency of the GDS-5, GDS-10 and GDS-15 versions, as well as of factor 1 is satisfactory, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging between 0.78 and 0.84, but it is modest in relation to factors 2 and 3, with 0.62 and 0.59 values, respectively. The GDS-5 and the GDS- 10 are strongly correlated with the GDS-15. Conclusion: The GDS versions revealed good psychometric properties and may be used to screen depressive symptoms in the elderly; however, the GDS-15 revealed same fragility related to factor structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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