Description

The UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS-20) is a tool designed to measure levels of loneliness in individuals. The scale was originally developed by Russell in 1978 and has evolved over the years. It consists of 20 questions that assess subjective experiences of loneliness and feelings of social isolation. Individuals are asked to respond based on how often they experience specific emotions related to loneliness.

Analysis and Use of Data

Purpose:The scale aims to measure loneliness in various populations, such as students, the elderly, and the general population. It is used to assess the intensity of loneliness and social isolation.

Use of Data:It is widely used in clinical and research practice to understand the relationship between loneliness and mental health. It provides data that can be used to detect and understand loneliness in different settings and helps evaluate the outcomes of interventions aimed at reducing loneliness.

Goal

The main goal of the UCLA-LS is to provide an accurate measurement of an individual’s levels of loneliness, helping to identify those who may need intervention due to social isolation or emotional loneliness. Researchers and health professionals use this scale to identify individuals with high levels of loneliness and recommend appropriate interventions.

Scoring

The scale consists of 20 questions, with participants responding on a 4-point Likert scale: “Never”, “Rarely”, “Sometimes”, “Often”. Each answer receives a score from 1 to 4, with higher scores representing higher levels of loneliness. The total score is calculated by summing the responses, and higher overall scores indicate greater loneliness.

Bibliography

Russell, D., Peplau, L. A., & Ferguson, M. L. (1978). Developing a measure of loneliness. Journal of Personality Assessment, 42(3), 290-294.

Russell, D. (1996). UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): Reliability, validity, and factor structure. Journal of Personality Assessment, 66(1), 20-40.

Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2004). A short scale for measuring loneliness in large surveys: Results from two population-based studies. Research on Aging, 26(6), 655-672.