UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3)
A 20-item self-report scale designed to measure subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) was developed by Daniel W. Russell (1996). It is designed to measure Loneliness. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 20 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a 5-point frequency scale (1 = Never to 5 = Always).
The scale includes 9 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 20 to 80. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low loneliness: 20 – 34
- Moderate loneliness: 35 – 49
- High loneliness: 50 – 80
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.89-0.94.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.