GAF stands for Global Assessment of Functioning. Which option correctly defines its name?

• A. Global Assessment of Functioning
• B. General Assessment of Form
• C. Global Analysis of Function
• D. General Analysis of Functioning

Answer: (A)

Global Assessment of Functioning stands for Global Assessment of Functioning. The word “Global” signals an overall view of a person’s functioning across psychological, social, and occupational areas. “Assessment” indicates it is a measurement or evaluation, not an in-depth analysis. “Functioning” refers to what a person can actually do in daily life. Together, the phrase precisely describes the scale’s purpose: a global gauge of how well someone is functioning overall.

Using a word like “General” would shift the nuance to a broader, less specific idea; “Analysis” implies a different kind of examination rather than a practical rating, and “Forming” or “Form” misses the focus on functioning itself.