Does the use of the Geriatric Depression Scale make redundant the need for separate measures of well-being on geriatrics wards?

Patients (n = 321) on geriatrics wards were asked to complete two or three of four well-being measures: the Geriatric Depression Scale, Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, Southampton Self-esteem Scale and the Bradburn Affect Balance Scale. Analyses, including factor analysis, correlations and box-and-whisker plots, were carried out to investigate similarities In patient profiles provided by the different scales. The GDS showed similar profiles to the other measures, particularly the self-esteem scale, discriminating at the 'high' as well as 'low well-being' ends of the scales. These results indicate that, as far as clinical practice is concerned, additional use of such well-being measures may be unnecessary. Examination of different approaches to assessing well- being in clinical practice is required, for example measures of 'life strengths'.