Are GAF scores reliable in routine clinical use?
Abstract
Objective: The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale has been considered as a reliable tool. However, most studies of GAF reliability have been based on special conditions, such as prior training and test awareness. This study takes a different approach investigating inter‐rater reliability of GAF scores in a routine clinical context. Method: Eighty‐two consecutively admitted acute psychiatric patients were rated according to routine department procedures and by two researchers at admission and discharge. Intraclass correlations (ICC) were computed using two‐way mixed models. Results: Inter‐rater reliability between routine scores and research scores were low (ICC coefficients between r = 0.39 and 0.59). Inter‐rater reliability between the two researchers were excellent (ICC coefficients r = 0.81 and 0.85). Conclusion: Inter‐rater reliability of GAF scores in a routine clinical context seems to be insufficient.
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GAF is considered reliable and valid.
“GAF has been used extensively and is considered reliable and valid [41].”
From Exploring mediators of the recovery process over time among mental health service users, using a mixed model regression analysis based on cluster RCT data (2020) · cites this paper as [41]
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- Authors
- Vatnaland, T., Vatnaland, J., Friis, S., & Opjordsmoen, S.
- Affiliations
- Oslo University Hospital (NO)
- University of Oslo (NO)
- Corresponding author
- Vatnaland, T.
- Vatnaland, J.
- ORCID
- Friis, S.
- Venue
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2007-03-13
- Volume
- 115
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 326-330
- ISSN
- 0001-690X (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0447
- OpenAlex
- W2079890589
- Cited by
- 137
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 4.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › Reliability and Agreement in Measurement
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Keywords
- Global Assessment of Functioning, inter-rater reliability, psychiatric inpatients, functional assessment, intraclass correlation coefficient, psychiatric rating scales
- MeSH terms
- Hospitals, Psychiatric, Humans, Medical Staff, Hospital, Personality, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychiatry, Students, Medical, Reproducibility of Results, Observer Variation
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