BACKGROUND: The Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) are considered reliable and valid for measuring depressive symptom severity and screening for a depressive disorder. Few studies have examined the convergent or divergent validity of these two measures, and none has been conducted among low-income women-although rates of depression in this group are extremely high. Moreover, variation in within-subject scores suggests that these measures may be less comparable in select subgroups. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare these two measures in terms of construct validity and to examine whether within-subject differences in depressive symptom severity scores could be accounted for by select characteristics in low-income women. METHODS: In a sample of 308 low-income women, construct validity was assessed using a multitrait-monomethod matrix approach, between-instrument differences in continuous symptom severity scores were regressed on select characteristics using backward stepwise selection, and differences in depressive symptom classification were assessed using the Mantel-Haenszel test. RESULTS: Convergent validity was high (rs = .80, p < .001). Among predictors that included age, race, education, number of chronic health conditions, history of depression, perceived stress, anxiety, and/or the number of generalized symptoms, none explained within-subject differences in depressive symptom scores between the BDI-II and the PHQ-9 (p > .05, R2 < .04). Similarly, there was consistency in depressive symptom classification (χ = 172 and 172.6, p < .0001). DISCUSSION: These findings demonstrate that the BDI-II and the PHQ-9 perform similarly among low-income women in terms of depressive symptom severity measurement and classifying levels of depressive symptoms, and do not vary across subgroups on the basis of select demographics.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psy- chometric properties of a Swedish version of The Krantz Health Opinion Survey (KHOS). A conven- ience sample of 79 persons (47 men and 32 women) was recruited from The Heart and Lung Patients’ National Association at ten local meeting places in different areas in Sweden. The questionnaire was examined for face and content validity, internal con-sistency and test-retest reliability. The findings showed that the Swedish version of KHOS is accept- able in terms of face and content validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability over time among 79 individuals &gt;65 years of age and with a cardiac disease. In conclusion, wider evaluations of the psy- chometric use of KHOS for other populations and settings are recommended. / SAMMI

Reprint from: Allergology International 55(1), 2006, p.59-65

Sustainability concerns have become prevalent in environmental, societal, and economic systems. To address education towards sustainability the need for explicit instruction in sustainable systems is apparent; however, it is underrepresented in American schools. Despite the emergence of sustainability topics in the literature, few have addressed teacher dispositions about providing this needed instruction and none have reported quantitative measures with acceptable estimates of reliability and validity.Dispositions are defined as the tendency to act in a particular manner that aligns with an individual’s belief which can develop and change over time, and are influenced by the experiences and circumstances faced by the individual. To provide the necessary instruction not only are instructors responsible for the curricular content and pedagogical content, but most importantly, they must possess positive dispositions towards providing this instruction. The purpose of this study was to construct and determine estimates of the validity and reliability of the Dispositions Toward Teaching Sustainable Systems Instrument. Using a sequential mixed methods design and Luyt’s Framework for instrument development the researcher, using qualitative methods such as interviews, identified themes that were supportive of the theoretical construct. The four themes that emerged were: administrative support, outdoor resources, collaboration, and professional development, all receiving above 80% interrater agreement (n=3 judges). The quantitative aspect identified the key indicators (items) and their estimates of reliability and validity, and their goodness of fit to the four theoretical constructs. Content validity estimates of the items generated from the interviews were explored using expert judges (n=2) in the area of sustainability education, also achieving above 80% agreement. Participants enrolled in three succeeding semesters of the Teaching Elementary Science Methods course (n=233) were then used to further estimate the reliability (α >.08), construct validity (normed chi-Square = 2.04; GFI=.86 RMSEA =.076; NFI=.96 CFI =.98 PGFI=.634 binomial index of model fit ppR=.271 R2=.073 (4,227)=4.5 pp

The dissertation provides a consideration of the significance of choosing an appropriate post-graduate research methodology and application in higher education institutions. Research education has become a matter of concern as there are low completion rates of masters' students in South African universities. This study addresses the issue with the application of appropriate IS research methodologies of IT/IS masters' and MBA dissertations/theses at the NWU to determine whether the research approaches used in both disciplines were relevant to their studies. The choice of an appropriate research methodology is an arduous task with which many researchers are confronted during the research process. The problem is that IT/IS masters' and MBA students use particular research methodologies inappropriately but consider these to be the most appropriate methodologies for IS research for purposes of writing their dissertations. The primary research objective was to explore IT/IS and MBA students' ideological approach towards comprehending information and understanding dissertation requirements by preparing them to undertake sound research projects that culminate in masters' dissertations and improve research completion rates. Secondarily, it attempts to investigate the associated roles between students and supervisors, and to identify challenges encountered, specifically with IT MBA students that will force them to use particular research methods in their research dissertations. A quantitative research approach was adopted and a structured framework was used as an instrument for data-gathering. This structured framework was used randomly on all IT/IS masters' and MBA dissertations in the NWU library. The majority of IT/IS masters' dissertations were sourced through the Nexus Database to ensure a better return rate. The finding gathered from the use of a structured framework for purposes of investigating IT/IS masters' and MBA dissertations indicated that both disciplines, most especially the MBA dissertations, lack a conceptual matrix for research alignment, supervision guidance, and badly-structured research dissertations. There is a need for a graduate school and IT/IS department to introduce and encourage the use of an appropriate conceptual matrix underlying various research activities. / Thesis (M.Computer Sc & Information Systems) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2014

Various occupational stressors like the physical environment, noise, lighting, temperature. aspects of the job, role conflict, workload, lack of career path, poor relationships with peers. and lack of participation arc likely to lead to various stress outcomes, namely behavioural; proneness to accidents, cognitive, inability to make sound decisions, physiological: increased blood pressure, physical and mental health, and organisational: lower productivity, and high turnover rate. These outcomes could however be influenced by moderator variables like age and gender, physiological experience and affective behaviours (type 'A' behaviour, life change, and social support). Studies have also found instances where some workers, exposed 10 the same unbearable work environments, did suffer from neither stress nor burnout. These findings have therefore led to the study of work engagement, which is considered the opposite of burnout. The study of stress, burnout and work engagement has therefore become vehicles through which employees' effectiveness and efficiency can be facilitated. It has become necessary to jointly study stress with burnout and work engagement in a holistic model so as to how a better understanding of work wellness. Burnout and work engagement therefore represent the two aspects of wellness namely, the energy dimension and the identification with work dimension. Studies have identified two underlying dimensions of work wellness in which they identified activation as ranging from exhaustion to vigour, arid identification as ranging from mental distance to dedication. Thus burnout according to them is characterised by a combination of exhaustion (low activation) and mental distance (low identification), while engagement is represented by vigour (high activation) and dedication (high identification). Extreme exhaustion may render employees emotionally and physically drained which may lead them to distance themselves emotionally and cognitively from their work and clients, while an engaged worker develops high levels of energy, and derives a sense of significance, attachment and dedication to work. However, to measure burnout, work engagement, stress, commitment and ill health requires valid and reliable instruments. In South Africa there aren't many systematic studies that have investigated stress, burnout, work engagement, commitment and ill health among civil servants. It is this dearth of well-designed studies in the area that makes this study very important. The objectives of this study were to assess the reliability and validity of the MBI-GS, the UWES, the ASSET, the Job Demands-Resource Scale, Commitment and Ill Health subscales Tor civil servants, determine the occupational stressors that they experience and whether the biographic variables by any way increase or moderate the effects of the stressors, and to finally test a structural model of work wellness consisting of burnout, work engagement, job demands-job resources, ill health, and commitment. The research method for each of the three articles consists of a brief literature review and an empirical study. A cross-sectional survey design was used. An accidental sample (N = 500) for research articles 1, 2 and 3 were targeted from the civil servants in the Mafikeng area of the North West Province of South Africa. The measuring instruments used in this study are; the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), Job Demands and Job Resources Scale (JDRS), Health subscales. Organizational Commitment subscales, the ASSET questionnaire and a biographical questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was used to test the factor structures of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Sunley (MBI-GS), and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) respectively. namely exhaustion, cynicism, cognitive weariness, and professional efficacy, and vigour, dedication and absorption. In respect of the MBI-GS, a four-factor model of burnout. consisting of exhaustion (physically drained), cynicism (distancing oneself from colleagues and clients), professional efficacy (feeling of accomplishment) and cognitive weariness (lack of focus on one's work), was found to fit the sample data best in comparison to the three-factor, two-factor and one-factor models. Thus the study established burnout as a bur-dimensional construct. In the case of the UWES a two-factor model of work engagement, consisting of vigour and dedication fined the data best as compared to a three-factor or one-factor model. This means that the UWES is a two-dimensional construct and not a three-factor nor a one-factor dimensional construct. The scales of the MBI-GS, UWES, and the ASSET subscales of work relationships, work life balance, overload, job security, control, resources/communication. aspects of the job, and the stress outcomes of organisational commitment, individual commitment physical health and psychological (un)well-being showed acceptable internal consistencies. There existed no statistically significant differences between burnout, work engagement. the stress dimensions, commitment and ill health respectively and any of the biographical variables. The study found that psychological (un)well-being, is a major stress outcome for the civil servants followed by physical (un)health, respectively. It was discovered that the civil servants generally have low levels of stress, and security was the lowest stressor. Employee commitment was also found to be high. Stress, due to lack of resources, predicted physical ill health and explained 21% of the variance of ill health among the sample of civil servants. Stress relating to aspects of the job and security, predicted psychological ill health and explained 31% of the variance in psychological ill health. Issues relating to control on the job and security predicted organisational and individual commitment respectively and further explained 28% and 20% of organisational commitment and individual commitment. Stress due to lack of job resources, security and aspects of [he job seem to be the most important stressors. Another objective of the study was to find out if energy and identification with work could be predicted from job demands and job resources respectively. It was found that job demands and lack of job resources lead to ill health through burnout, and job resources could lead to commitment via engagement. The implications are that employees who experience excessive workload are likely to experience burnout, which in turn leads to health related problems. Continuous availability of job resources would lead to work engagement, which in turn leads to organisational commitment, while lack of it would lead to burnout. Recommendations for further research were accordingly made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Many performance-based assessment tools are available to measure upper extremity function. Most define hand function by the time taken to complete a task. A new computer game-based hand-arm function evaluation (GHA) tool has been developed to quantify fine and gross object manipulations skills. Objective of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the GHA assessment tool. Thirty stroke clients with the mean age of 68.41 years were recruited. Test-retest reliability was assessed by Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICCs) and t-test. Convergent validity between GHA and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) was determined using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Most of the GHA outcome measures had moderate to high ICC (0.5-0.9). With scant exceptions, low correlations were observed between GHA measures and WMFT score. The ICC values reflected the complexity of the tasks, more complex task showed lower ICCs values. / October 2016

INTRODUÇÃO: Os critérios diagnósticos atuais para as síndromes depressivas não identificam uma parcela dos idosos com sintomatologia depressiva clinicamente significativa. Instrumentos psicométricos específicos para esta população, que sejam rápidos e fáceis de aplicar tornam-se necessários. A partir de instrumentos previamente validados como as escalas GDS e CES-D, e de um consenso de especialistas foi desenvolvida uma escala de 10 itens para avaliar o construto clínico de depressão em pacientes idosos. OBJETIVO: Validação interna de uma nova escala de rastreio de sintomas depressivos em idosos (D10) desenvolvida no Programa Terceira Idade (PROTER), Instituto de Psiquiatria HC FMUSP. MÉTODOS: Uma amostra de conveniência composta por 62 sujeitos foi utilizada para o estudo de validade de critério (validade concorrente). Destes, 44 foram incluídos nos estudos de confiabilidade (consistência interna, estabilidade e equivalência) e de validade de construto (validades convergente e divergente). Todos os participantes incluídos tinham idade 60 anos, não apresentavam doenças médicas graves ou descompensadas, déficits cognitivo e funcional significativos (avaliados, respectivamente, pela M-CIRS, MMSE e B-ADL) e não apresentavam histórico passado ou atual sugestivo de síndrome psicótica. Os diagnósticos foram obtidos pela entrevista estruturada MINI-Plus (seções A, B, D, E, F e P) e a intensidade dos sintomas depressivos mensurados pela MADRS. Outros instrumentos foram utilizados (CAMCOG, IQCODE, CAGE, DUSI-R) no desenho da pesquisa, para reduzir a possibilidade de vieses sistemáticos. A distribuição da amostra foi avaliada pelo Teste Kolgomorov-Smirnov, e os índices de correlação de Pearson e Spearman foram utilizados para aferir a relação entre a D10 e as escalas MADRS e CAGE. A correlação entre os itens da D10 foram analisados pelos coeficientes de Correlação Intraclasse (CCI) e alfa de Cronbach. A acurácia do teste foi investigada pela análise das áreas sob as curvas ROC. RESULTADOS: A amostra (idade média de 72,35; SD=7,05) não apresentou diferenças significativas entre as variáveis sócio-demográficas, econômicas, clínicas, cognitivas e funcionais estudadas (p>0,05). O valor de alfa (consistência interna) manteve-se estável e elevado (=0,84±0,02) e os itens da D10 apresentaram boa equivalência (inter-rater) (rs=0,95, p0,01) e boa estabilidade (intra-rater) (rs=0,95, p0,01). A escala MADRS correlacionou-se significativamente com a D10 (rp=0,86, e rs=081, p0,01), não tendo se correlacionado com a CAGE (p>0,05). Esse achado foi reforçado pela correlação entre a CAGE e a DUSI-R (rp=0,31, p=0,005; e rs=0,29 p=0,01). A nota de corte de 6 pontos na D10 apresentou elevados níveis de sensibilidade (96,2%), especificidade (88,9%), valor preditivo positivo (86,2%), valor preditivo negativo (97%) e acurácia (91,9%). O tempo médio de aplicação do novo instrumento foi de 42±4 segundos. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a escala D10 apresentou confiabilidade, validade interna, e acurácia adequadas para ser utilizada como um instrumento de aplicação rápida para o rastreio de sintomatologia depressiva clinicamente significativa em idosos / identify a portion of elderly people with clinically significant depressive symptoms. Specific psychometric instruments for this population with quick and easy application properties are of the essence. Based on previously validated instruments, such as GDS and CES-D scales, and on consensus among specialists, a 10-item scale was developed to assess the clinical depression construct in elderly patients. OBJECTIVES: Internal validation of a scale to screen depressive symptoms in elderly people (D10) developed in the Senior Citizens Program (locally, PROTER), at the Institute of Psychiatry of the HCFMUSP. METHODS: A convenience sample of 62 subjects was used for the criterion validity study (concurrent validity). Of these, 44 were included in the studies of reliability (internal consistency, stability and equivalence) and of the construct validity (convergent and divergent validity). All the participants included in the study were 60 years old, did not present any serious or uncontrolled medical conditions, significant cognitive or functional deficits (evaluated, respectively, through M-CIRS, MMSE and B-ADL), nor past or present history suggestive of psychotic syndrome. Diagnostics were obtained through the MINI-Plus structured interview (sections A, B, D, E, F and P), and the intensity of depressive symptoms through the MADRS. In the research design, other instruments were used (CAMCOG, IQCODE, CAGE, DUSI-R), aimed at reducing the possibility of systematic bias. The sample distribution was evaluated through the Kolgomorov- Smirnov Test, and the Pearson and Spearman correlation indexes were used to verify the relation between the D10 and the MADRS and CAGE scales. The correlation of the D10 items were analyzed through the Intraclass Correlation (ICC) and Cronbach\'s alpha. The test accuracy was investigated through the analysis of the areas under ROC curves. RESULTS: The sample (mean age of 72,35; SD=7,05) did not evidence significant differences in the socio-demographic, economic, clinical, cognitive and functional variables studied (p>0,05). The alpha value (internal consistency) remained stable and elevated (=0,84±0,02), D10 items presented good equivalence (inter-rater) (rs=0,95, p0,01) and good stability (intra-rater) (rs=0,95 p0,01). The MADRS scale correlated significantly with CAGE (p>0,05). This finding was reinforced by the correlation between CAGE and DUSI-R (rp=0,31 p=0,005; and rs=0,29 p=0,01). A cut-off score of 6 points in D10 presented high levels of sensitivity (96,2%), specificity (88,9%), positive predictive value (86,2%), negative predictive value (97%) and accuracy (91,9%). The average application time of the new instrument was 42±4 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained indicate that the D10 scale presented adequate reliability, internal validity and accuracy for use as a quick application instrument to screen clinically significant depressive symptoms in the elderly

Recentemente, o constructo unidimensional e a confiabilidade do Questionário de Bullying de Olweus (QBO) - versão vítima e versão agressor - foram avaliados com resultados satisfatórios. O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de verificar evidências de validação das versões do QBO para adolescentes brasileiros por meio do constructo de fatores, da validade de critério e da consistência interna. Trata-se de um estudo transversal e a amostra foi composta por 1401 alunos, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 10 a 17 anos, do 5º ao 9º ano do ensino fundamental de escolas da rede pública. O QBO é um instrumento de autorrelato, composto por 23 itens relacionados à prática de bullying (versão agressor) e por 23 itens relacionados à vitimização (versão vítima). Para definir os fatores a serem testados, por meio da Análise Fatorial Confirmatória (AFC), considerou-se a característica da atitude representada no item. Cada fator foi composto pelos mesmos itens do QBO-vítima e do QBOagressor, sendo: três fatores - direto físico = 9 itens, direto verbal = 8 itens e indireto = 6 itens; e quatro fatores - físico = 6 itens, verbal = 5 itens, relacional = 9 itens e dano = 3 itens. A validade de critério foi realizada através da análise convergente de correlação com o Questionário de Capacidades e Dificuldades-versão criança (SDQ-C) que foi preenchido concomitante ao QBO. A consistência interna foi verificada pela confiabilidade interavaliadores (coeficiente alfa de Cronbach). A AFC foi realizada com o QBO de 858 (61,2%) adolescentes, categorizados como envolvidos com bullying, sendo: 212 (24,7%) exclusivo vítima; 191 (22,2%) exclusivo agressor e 455 (53%) vítima-agressor. Em ambas as versões, os ajustes da AFC foram considerados satisfatórios, com índices semelhantes tanto para três fatores quanto para quatro fatores. No entanto, a confiabilidade do modelo de três fatores do QBO, para ambas as versões, apresentou melhores coeficientes (α >0,700) e foi considerado satisfatório. A análise de convergência do QBO unidimensional com o SDQ-C demonstrou correlação significativa moderada (r > 0,300) para os domínios conduta com o QBO agressor; relacionamento com o QBO vítima, tanto para meninos quanto para as meninas. Os resultados evidenciaram a possibilidade de identificar as diferentes formas de bullying com base no modelo de três fatores do QBO, definidos como direto físico, direto verbal e indireto. A relevância em definir os fatores das versões do QBO está em aprimorar a avaliação das diferentes formas de bullying, com instrumento validado em nosso meio e, assim, contribuir para especificar diferentes estratégias de intervenção para prevenir o bullying escolar. / Bullying behavioral evaluation with a validated instrument in Brazil is scarce. Recently, the one-dimensional construct and the reliability of the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire (OBQ) - victim and aggressor version - were evaluated with satisfactory results. The objective of the present study was to verify validation evidences of the OBQ versions for Brazilian adolescents through the construct of factors, the criterion validity and the internal consistency. This is a cross-sectional study and the sample was composed of 1401 students of both sexes, aged 10 to 17 years, from the 5th to the 9th grade of elementary school in public schools. The OBQ is a self-report instrument, composed of 23 items related to bullying (aggressor version) and 23 items related to victimization (victim version). To define the factors to be tested through the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), we took into consideration the characteristic of the attitude represented in the item. Each factor was composed of the same OBQ-victim and OBQ-aggressor items, being: three factors - direct physical = 9 items, direct verbal = 8 items and indirect = 6 items; and four factors - physical = 6 items, verbal = 5 items, relational = 9 items and damage = 3 items. Criterion validity was performed through the convergent analysis of correlation with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - child version (SDQ-C) that was completed concomitantly with the OBQ. The internal consistency was verified by inter-rater reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient). The AFC was performed with the OBQ of 858 (61.2%) adolescents categorized as being involved in bullying, being: 212 (24.7%) exclusive victim; 191 (22.2) exclusive aggressor and 455 (53%) victimaggressor. In both versions, AFC adjustments were considered satisfactory with similar indices for the three factors and the four factors. However, the reliability of the three factor OBQ model for both versions had better coefficients (α > 0.700) and was considered satisfactory. The convergence analysis of the unidimensional OBQ with the SDQ-C demonstrated a moderate significant correlation (r > 0.300) for the conduct domains with the aggressor OBQ; in relation to the victim OBQ, for both boys and girls. The results show the possibility of identifying the different forms of bullying based on the three factor model of OBQ, defined as direct physical, verbal direct and indirect. The relevance of defining the factors of the OBQ versions is in improving the evaluation of the different forms of bullying, with a validated instrument in our environment, and thus contributing to specify different intervention strategies to prevent school bullying.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os critérios diagnósticos atuais para as síndromes depressivas não identificam uma parcela dos idosos com sintomatologia depressiva clinicamente significativa. Instrumentos psicométricos específicos para esta população, que sejam rápidos e fáceis de aplicar tornam-se necessários. A partir de instrumentos previamente validados como as escalas GDS e CES-D, e de um consenso de especialistas foi desenvolvida uma escala de 10 itens para avaliar o construto clínico de depressão em pacientes idosos. OBJETIVO: Validação interna de uma nova escala de rastreio de sintomas depressivos em idosos (D10) desenvolvida no Programa Terceira Idade (PROTER), Instituto de Psiquiatria HC FMUSP. MÉTODOS: Uma amostra de conveniência composta por 62 sujeitos foi utilizada para o estudo de validade de critério (validade concorrente). Destes, 44 foram incluídos nos estudos de confiabilidade (consistência interna, estabilidade e equivalência) e de validade de construto (validades convergente e divergente). Todos os participantes incluídos tinham idade 60 anos, não apresentavam doenças médicas graves ou descompensadas, déficits cognitivo e funcional significativos (avaliados, respectivamente, pela M-CIRS, MMSE e B-ADL) e não apresentavam histórico passado ou atual sugestivo de síndrome psicótica. Os diagnósticos foram obtidos pela entrevista estruturada MINI-Plus (seções A, B, D, E, F e P) e a intensidade dos sintomas depressivos mensurados pela MADRS. Outros instrumentos foram utilizados (CAMCOG, IQCODE, CAGE, DUSI-R) no desenho da pesquisa, para reduzir a possibilidade de vieses sistemáticos. A distribuição da amostra foi avaliada pelo Teste Kolgomorov-Smirnov, e os índices de correlação de Pearson e Spearman foram utilizados para aferir a relação entre a D10 e as escalas MADRS e CAGE. A correlação entre os itens da D10 foram analisados pelos coeficientes de Correlação Intraclasse (CCI) e alfa de Cronbach. A acurácia do teste foi investigada pela análise das áreas sob as curvas ROC. RESULTADOS: A amostra (idade média de 72,35; SD=7,05) não apresentou diferenças significativas entre as variáveis sócio-demográficas, econômicas, clínicas, cognitivas e funcionais estudadas (p>0,05). O valor de alfa (consistência interna) manteve-se estável e elevado (=0,84±0,02) e os itens da D10 apresentaram boa equivalência (inter-rater) (rs=0,95, p0,01) e boa estabilidade (intra-rater) (rs=0,95, p0,01). A escala MADRS correlacionou-se significativamente com a D10 (rp=0,86, e rs=081, p0,01), não tendo se correlacionado com a CAGE (p>0,05). Esse achado foi reforçado pela correlação entre a CAGE e a DUSI-R (rp=0,31, p=0,005; e rs=0,29 p=0,01). A nota de corte de 6 pontos na D10 apresentou elevados níveis de sensibilidade (96,2%), especificidade (88,9%), valor preditivo positivo (86,2%), valor preditivo negativo (97%) e acurácia (91,9%). O tempo médio de aplicação do novo instrumento foi de 42±4 segundos. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a escala D10 apresentou confiabilidade, validade interna, e acurácia adequadas para ser utilizada como um instrumento de aplicação rápida para o rastreio de sintomatologia depressiva clinicamente significativa em idosos / identify a portion of elderly people with clinically significant depressive symptoms. Specific psychometric instruments for this population with quick and easy application properties are of the essence. Based on previously validated instruments, such as GDS and CES-D scales, and on consensus among specialists, a 10-item scale was developed to assess the clinical depression construct in elderly patients. OBJECTIVES: Internal validation of a scale to screen depressive symptoms in elderly people (D10) developed in the Senior Citizens Program (locally, PROTER), at the Institute of Psychiatry of the HCFMUSP. METHODS: A convenience sample of 62 subjects was used for the criterion validity study (concurrent validity). Of these, 44 were included in the studies of reliability (internal consistency, stability and equivalence) and of the construct validity (convergent and divergent validity). All the participants included in the study were 60 years old, did not present any serious or uncontrolled medical conditions, significant cognitive or functional deficits (evaluated, respectively, through M-CIRS, MMSE and B-ADL), nor past or present history suggestive of psychotic syndrome. Diagnostics were obtained through the MINI-Plus structured interview (sections A, B, D, E, F and P), and the intensity of depressive symptoms through the MADRS. In the research design, other instruments were used (CAMCOG, IQCODE, CAGE, DUSI-R), aimed at reducing the possibility of systematic bias. The sample distribution was evaluated through the Kolgomorov- Smirnov Test, and the Pearson and Spearman correlation indexes were used to verify the relation between the D10 and the MADRS and CAGE scales. The correlation of the D10 items were analyzed through the Intraclass Correlation (ICC) and Cronbach\'s alpha. The test accuracy was investigated through the analysis of the areas under ROC curves. RESULTS: The sample (mean age of 72,35; SD=7,05) did not evidence significant differences in the socio-demographic, economic, clinical, cognitive and functional variables studied (p>0,05). The alpha value (internal consistency) remained stable and elevated (=0,84±0,02), D10 items presented good equivalence (inter-rater) (rs=0,95, p0,01) and good stability (intra-rater) (rs=0,95 p0,01). The MADRS scale correlated significantly with CAGE (p>0,05). This finding was reinforced by the correlation between CAGE and DUSI-R (rp=0,31 p=0,005; and rs=0,29 p=0,01). A cut-off score of 6 points in D10 presented high levels of sensitivity (96,2%), specificity (88,9%), positive predictive value (86,2%), negative predictive value (97%) and accuracy (91,9%). The average application time of the new instrument was 42±4 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained indicate that the D10 scale presented adequate reliability, internal validity and accuracy for use as a quick application instrument to screen clinically significant depressive symptoms in the elderly