Object: This study was aimed to make the Korean version of the GAF (K-GAF) and test its reliability and validity.
Method: We recruited 67 admitted patients, most of whom were diagnosed as having major psychoses. The GAF ratings were done in the original way which were described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (GAFtotal,GAFT) and 2 other subscales;GAF-symptom (GAFSYM), GAF-dysfunction (GAFDIS). To evaluate the concurrent validity, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scales (BPRS), the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Rating form (SAS-SR), the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were used.
Result: The inter-rater reliability of the K-GAF was satisfactory in GAFT (r=0.91), GAFSYM (r=0.93), GAFDIS (r=0.85). GAFT and GAFSYM held a high concurrent validity in relation to the BPRS and the CGI. In the subgroup having insight (G12 item score of the PANSS≤2, n=30), GAFT and GAFDIS revealed significant correlation with the total score and two subscales of the SDS, but not the with subscale of familial life/home responsibilities.
Conclusion:Despite of some limitations, the findings of the present study suggest the usefulness of the K-GAF as a reliable and valid instrument in assessing overall functioning of patients with mental disorders. (Schizophrenia Clinics 2003; 6:118-124)
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