GAF score
Also written as: GAF — Global Assessment of Functioning
Global Assessment of Functioning rating measuring psychological, social, and occupational functioning (now deprecated).
Full Definition
A numeric scale from 1-100 used in DSM-IV-TR to rate an individual's overall level of psychological, social, and occupational functioning. Although removed from DSM-5, GAF scores still appear in older forensic evaluations and may be referenced in legal proceedings. Higher scores indicate better functioning. In forensic contexts, GAF scores were sometimes used to support opinions about competency, disability, or treatment needs, though their reliability and validity have been questioned.
Usage
Usage note: Note that GAF is no longer included in current diagnostic manuals.
In Context
- "The 2012 evaluation reported a GAF score of 45, indicating serious impairment." — Historical record review
- "Current practice has moved away from GAF scores toward more specific functional assessments." — Clinical methodology discussion