AXIS-V - GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONING SCALE - EVALUATION OF A SELF-REPORT VERSION

The present study examines a self-report version of the Global Assessm ent of Functioning Scale according to Axis V (GAF self-report). The sa mple (n = 73) was a psychiatric outpatient population from a catchment area clinic. Patients with psychotic and organic mental disorders wer e not included. The diagnostic distribution on Axis I was similar to t he findings from previous studies. Axis II disorders were identified a mong 47%, of whom a majority also had a concomitant Axis I disorder. T he mean GAF expert score was 66.5 (range: 48-86). High complexity and severity of disorders and a high number of fulfilled Axis II criteria were significantly associated with low GAF scores. Independent expert ratings on GAF were correlated with the GAF self-report overall at r = 0.62, varying from 0.45 to 0.91 between different diagnostic groups. In general, the patients scored themselves lower (mean: - 4.4 units) t han expert ratings. Patients with depressive symptoms from an adjustme nt disorder or mood disorder were most prone to underestimation. Women also tended to score themselves lower than experts did. Conclusively, the GAF self-report turned out to be a valid and reliable unidimensio nal instrument measuring psychological, social and occupational functi oning. The GAF is easy to handle, and with a self-report version as a complement, Axis V could be more frequently used in future clinical pr actice and research.