Table of Contents
Social Connectedness Scale
The Social Connectedness Scale (SCS) is a self-report questionnaire that measures the extent to which individuals feel connected to others in their social environment. It was developed by Lee and Robbins in 1995 and has been widely used in research and clinical settings. The SCS is a 20-item scale that assesses different dimensions of social connectedness, including:
- Belongingness: The feeling of being part of a group or community
- Closeness: The feeling of being close to others and having intimate relationships
- Support: The feeling of having people to rely on for help and understanding
- Satisfaction: The level of satisfaction with one’s social relationships
To complete the SCS, individuals are asked to rate each item on a 6-point Likert scale, from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). The total score is calculated by summing the scores for all 20 items. Higher scores on the SCS indicate a greater sense of social connectedness.
The SCS has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of social connectedness. It has been used in research studies to examine the relationship between social connectedness and a variety of outcomes, including mental and physical health, well-being, and quality of life. The SCS has also been used in clinical settings to assess social connectedness in individuals with mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Social Connectedness Scale
| 1 | 1. I feel disconnected fromthe world around me. | 1= Strongly Disagree | 6= Strongly Agree |
| 2 | 2. Even around people I know‚ I don’t feel that that I really belong. | ||
| 3 | 3. I feel so distant from people. | ||
| 4 | 4. I have no sense of togetherness with my peers. | ||
| 5 | 5. I don’t feel related to any one. | ||
| 6 | 6. I catch myself losing all sense of connectedness with society. | ||
| 7 | 7. Even among my friends‚ there is no sense of brother/sisterhood. | ||
| 8 | 8. I don’t feel that I participate with anyone or any group. |
Social Assurance Scale
| 1 | 1. I feel more comfortable when someone is constantly with me. | 1= Strongly Disagree | 6= Strongly Agree |
| 2 | 2. I’m more at ease doing things together with other people. | ||
| 3 | 3. Working side by side with others is more comfortable than working alone. | ||
| 4 | 4. My life is incomplete without a buddy beside me. | ||
| 5 | 5. It’s hard for me to use my skills and talents without someone beside me. | ||
| 6 | 6. I stick to my friends like glue. | ||
| 7 | 7. I join groups more for the friendship than the activity itself. | ||
| 8 | 8. I wish to find someone who can be with me all the time. |
Revised Social Connectedness Scale
| 1 | 1. I feel comfortable in the presence of strangers | 1= Strongly Disagree | 6= Strongly Agree |
| 2 | 2. I am in tune with the world | ||
| 3 | 3. Even among my friends‚ there is no sense ofbrother/sisterhood | ||
| 4 | 4. I fit in well in new situations | ||
| 5 | 5. I feel close to people | ||
| 6 | 6. I feel disconnected from the world around me | ||
| 7 | 7. Even around people I know‚ I don’t feel that Ireally belong | ||
| 8 | 8. I see people as friendly and approachable | ||
| 9 | 9. I feel like an outsider | ||
| 10 | 10.I feel understood by the people I know | ||
| 11 | 11.I feel distant from people | ||
| 12 | 12.I am able to relate to my peers | ||
| 13 | 13.I have little sense of togetherness with my peers | ||
| 14 | 14.I find myself actively involved in people’s lives. | ||
| 15 | 15.I catch myself losing a sense of connectedness withsociety | ||
| 16 | 16.I am able to connect with other people. | ||
| 17 | 17.I see myself as a loner. | ||
| 18 | 18.I don’t feel related to most people. | ||
| 19 | 19.My friends feel like family. | ||
| 20 | 20.I don’t feel I participate with anyone or any group |
Lee‚ R. M.‚ & Robbins S. B. (1995). Measuring belongingness: The social connectedness and the social assurance scales. Journal of Counseling Psychology‚ 42 (2): 232-241.
Lee‚ Richard‚ M.‚ Robbins‚ Steven ‚ B. (1998). The Relationship Between Social Connectedness and Anxiety‚ Self-Esteem‚ and Social Identity. Journal of Counseling Psychology‚ 45(3): 338-345.
Lee‚ Richard‚ M.‚ Draper‚ M.‚and Lee‚ Sujin. (2001). Social Connectedness‚ Dysfunctional Interpersonal Behaviors‚ and Psychological Distress: Testing a Mediator Model. Journal of Counseling Psychology‚ 48(3): 310-318