UCLA Loneliness Scale
20-item measure of subjective loneliness and social isolation. Score 20–80. Most widely used loneliness measure in research. Russell (1996).
The UCLA Loneliness Scale (v3) is a 20-item validated measure of subjective loneliness and social isolation. The most widely used loneliness measure in psychological research, with applications in clinical settings to screen for social disconnection and its health consequences.
What is the UCLA Loneliness Scale?
The UCLA Loneliness Scale was originally developed by Daniel Russell, Letitia Anne Peplau, and Carolyn Cutrona in 1978 and refined through multiple versions. The current Version 3 (Russell, 1996) is the most widely used, with high internal consistency (α = .89–.94) and strong validity across diverse populations. It measures subjective loneliness, the perceived quality of social connections, rather than objective social isolation.
Each of the 20 items asks how often the respondent experiences a feeling related to social connectedness, rated on a 4-point scale: Never (1), Rarely (2), Sometimes (3), Always (4). Nine items use positive wording (e.g., "feeling in tune with others") and are reverse-scored before summing. Higher scores indicate greater loneliness.
Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a public health concern with health effects comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes per day (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015). It is associated with depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, cognitive decline, and increased mortality. The UCLA Loneliness Scale is in the public domain and free for clinical and research use.
Rate how often you feel each way. Think about how you generally feel, not just right now.
Educational reference only. Cannot diagnose or replace clinical evaluation.
Loneliness Score Bands
Russell (1996). Nine positively worded items (1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19, 20) are reverse-scored before summing.
Screen for Loneliness Alongside Mood in HiBoop
UCLA Loneliness Scale alongside PHQ-9 and GAD-7, a complete picture of psychological and social wellbeing for every patient.
References
- 1.Russell D, Peplau LA, Ferguson ML. Developing a measure of loneliness. J Pers Assess. 1978;42(3):290-4.View source
- 2.Russell DW. UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): reliability, validity, and factor structure. J Pers Assess. 1996;66(1):20-40.View source
- 3.Gosling CJ, Colle R, Cartigny A, et al. Measuring loneliness: a head-to-head psychometric comparison of the 3- and 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scales. Psychol Med. 2024;54(14):3821-3827.View source
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a high UCLA Loneliness Scale score mean?
Higher total scores (toward the maximum of 80) indicate greater subjective loneliness. There is no single validated diagnostic cutoff; scores are typically interpreted relative to normative sample distributions, and a 2024 head-to-head psychometric study found that prevalence estimates varied substantially depending on which threshold was applied. A clinician should consider score trends over time alongside clinical context.
Is the UCLA Loneliness Scale self-report or clinician-administered?
The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a self-report instrument. Respondents rate each of the 20 items on a 4-point frequency scale (Never to Always) without clinician involvement, making it suitable for routine screening in a variety of research and clinical settings.
Can the UCLA Loneliness Scale diagnose loneliness or a mental health condition?
No. The scale quantifies the perceived quality of social connections but cannot provide a diagnosis of loneliness or any mental health condition. Elevated scores indicate clinically meaningful social disconnection warranting further evaluation, not a formal clinical diagnosis.
How is the UCLA Loneliness Scale scored?
Each item is rated 1 (Never) to 4 (Always). Nine positively worded items (items 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19, and 20) are reverse-scored so that higher values consistently reflect greater loneliness. All 20 item scores are then summed; total scores range from 20 to 80.
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