UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3)

Loneliness is prevalent. A cross-section of community-dwelling adults in San Diego, California, revealed that 76% reported moderate-to-high levels of loneliness. In this post, I introduce the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) which is one of the most common measures of this construct.

According to Daniel Perlman from the University of Manitoba and Letitia Anne Peplau from the University of California (Los Angeles), loneliness is an unpleasant experience that arises when our actual social relationships differ from our desired social relationships. To paraphrase, a person is said to experience loneliness if the following conditions are satisfied: he experiences unpleasantness; his actual social relationships differ from his desired social relationships; and the difference causes the unpleasantness.

The most common measure of loneliness is the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3). This scale comprises 20 items (1 = Never, 2 = Rarely, 3 = Sometimes, and 4 = Always). The items are as follows:

How often do you feel that you are “in tune” with the people around you? *
How often do you feel that you lack companionship?
How often do you feel that there is no one you can turn to?
How often do you feel alone?
How often do you feel part of a group of friends? *
How often do you feel that you have a lot in common with the people around you? *
How often do you feel that you are no longer close to anyone?
How often do you feel that your interests and ideas are not shared by those around you?
How often do you feel outgoing and friendly? *
How often do you feel close to people? *
How often do you feel left out?
How often do you feel that your relationships with others are not meaningful?
How often do you feel that no one really knows you well?
How often do you feel isolated from others?
How often do you feel you can find companionship when you want it? *
How often do you feel that there are people who really understand you? *
How often do you feel shy?
How often do you feel that people are around you but not with you?
How often do you feel that there are people you can talk to? *
How oftend o you fee lthat there are people you can turn to? *

* Reversed scored (i.e., 1 = 4, 2 = 3, 3 = 2, 4 = 1).

Total scores on this scale range from 20 to 80. To obtain the total score, sum the scores on all 20 items. A total score below 28 indicates no or low loneliness; a total score between 28 and 43 inclusive indicates moderate loneliness; and a total score above 43 indicates high loneliness.