GAF
Also written as: GAF — Global Assessment of Functioning
A numeric scale used to rate overall psychological, social, and occupational functioning in psychiatric patients.
Full Definition
The Global Assessment of Functioning is a clinician-rated scale that provides a single measure of overall functioning ranging from 1 (severely impaired) to 100 (superior functioning). Originally included in the DSM-IV multiaxial system, the GAF evaluates how well individuals cope with various life demands and stressors. The scale considers psychological symptoms, social relationships, and occupational performance in arriving at a single global score. While removed from DSM-5, GAF continues to be used in psychiatric research and clinical practice as a broad measure of illness severity and treatment response. The scale's simplicity makes it useful for tracking changes over time, though its global nature can mask specific areas of improvement or deterioration.
Usage
Usage note: Capitalize as acronym; note that it's no longer in DSM-5 when referencing current diagnostic standards.
In Context
- "GAF scores improved from 45 at baseline to 65 at study endpoint." — Clinical trial results
- "The study required participants to have a GAF score between 31 and 70 for inclusion." — Eligibility criteria