The DOI matches its Crossref record; 4 of the 4 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Developing a Measure of Loneliness
Abstract
Research on loneliness has been hindered by the lack of a simple and reliable assessment technique. The development of the UCLA Loneliness Scale, a short, 20-item general measure of loneliness is reported. The measure has high internal consistency (coefficient alpha = .96) and a test-retest correlation over a two-month period of .73. Concurrent and preliminary construct validity are indicated by correlations with self-reports of current loneliness and related emotional states, and by volunteering for a "loneliness clinic."
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In the citing paper
“It is composed of six items evaluated on a 4-point scale in a range from 0 to 18, with the same validity as the long version and a good level of reliability (α =0.77).”
From Social connections combat loneliness and promote wellbeing among college students coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic (2025) · cites this paper as Russell et al., 1978
In the citing paper
“The internal consistency (Cronbach α at baseline) in this study was 0.89.”
From Schema-Informed Digital Mental Health Intervention for Maladaptive Cognitive-Emotional Patterns: Randomized Controlled Trial (2025) · cites this paper as [21]
Citations
Cites
Depression: Causes and treatment
Beck, A. T. (1973) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(73)80054-1 · Cited by 3,163
Normative Data for the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List
Zuckerman, M., & Lubin, B. (1965) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.1965.16.2.438 · Cited by 117
Loneliness: a psychodynamic interpretation.
Leiderman, P. H. (1969) · PubMed · Cited by 24
Shneidman, E. S., & Mj, O. (1969) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 20
Research works printed but not linked: 7
- Belcher, M . The measurement of loneliness: A validation .stud.v of the Belcher Extended Loneliness Scale (BELS). (Doctoral dissertation, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1973). (University Microfilms No. 74-16.990).
- Bradley, R. Measuring loneliness. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Washington State University, 1969.
- Eddy, P. D. Loneliness: A discrepancy within the phenon~enological self: Unpublished doctoral dissertation.Adelphi College.1961.
- Nunnally, J. C. firrhometric theor), New York: McGraw-Hill, 1967.
- Schmidt. N. The construction qf a scalefor rhe measurement of loneliness. Unpublished master's thesis, York University, 1976.
- Sisenwein, R. J . Loneliness and [he individuul u.\liewed by himtelf and others. (Doctoral dissertation, Columbia University. 1964). (ITnivcrsity Microfilms No. 65-4768).
- Weiss, R. S. (Ed.) Loneliness: The e.ri(,erienc.r of emotional and social isolation. Cambridge. Mass.: M I T Press. 1973.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Cacioppo, J. T., Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., Hawkley, L. C., & Thisted, R. A. (2006) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.21.1.140 · Cited by 2,380
The clinical significance of loneliness: a literature review
Heinrich, L. M., & Gullone, E. (2006) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2006.04.002 · Cited by 1,986
Cacioppo, J. T., Hawkley, L. C., & Thisted, R. A. (2010) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/a0017216 · Cited by 1,757
Spiritual Well-Being: Conceptualization and Measurement
Ellison, C. W. (1983) · Journal of Psychology and Theology · doi:10.1177/009164718301100406 · Cited by 1,485
The Development of a Rasch-Type Loneliness Scale
de Jong-Gierveld, J., & Kamphuls, F. (1985) · Applied Psychological Measurement · doi:10.1177/014662168500900307 · Cited by 1,291
Metadata
- Authors
- Russell, D., Peplau, L. A., & Ferguson, M. L.
- Venue
- Journal of Personality Assessment
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1978-06
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 290-294
- ISSN
- 0022-3891 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7752
- OpenAlex
- W2014754251
- Cited by
- 2,089
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 169 · 2025: 169 · 2024: 186 · 2023: 205 · 2022: 181 · 2021: 184 · 2020: 132 · 2019: 119 · 2018: 77 · 2017: 66 · 2016: 61 · 2015: 63 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 38 · 2012: 30
- FWCI
- 18.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality Assessment (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- loneliness, UCLA Loneliness Scale, loneliness measurement, psychometric scale development, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, emotional state
- MeSH terms
- Female, Humans, Loneliness, Male, Psychological Tests, Psychometrics, Self-Assessment, Social Isolation, Students, Time Factors
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