UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3)
UCLA-LS3A 20-item self-report instrument measuring subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Version 3 uses simpler wording than earlier versions and balances positively and negatively worded items.
Ready-to-cite methods sentence
Reliability & validation
Response anchors
Never · Rarely · Sometimes · Often
Known limitations
Designed as a unidimensional measure, although factor analyses have supported two- and three-factor solutions in some samples. Readability is US high-school level.
Original citation
Russell, D. W. (1996). UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): Reliability, validity, and factor structure. Journal of Personality Assessment, 66(1), 20-40.
https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa6601_2Questions researchers ask
What does the UCLA-LS3 measure?
A 20-item self-report instrument measuring subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Version 3 uses simpler wording than earlier versions and balances positively and negatively worded items.
How many items does the UCLA-LS3 have?
The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) (UCLA-LS3) has 20 items.
Is the UCLA-LS3 free to use?
The UCLA-LS3 is free to use for non-commercial academic research. You don't need to pay a license fee, but you should always cite the original publication.
Is the UCLA-LS3 reliable?
Validation studies report Cronbach's α of 0.94, test–retest reliability of 0.73. See the reliability section for the population studied and full statistics.
Who developed the UCLA-LS3, and how do I cite it?
Russell, D. W. (1996). UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): Reliability, validity, and factor structure. Journal of Personality Assessment, 66(1), 20-40. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa6601_2
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Library entry verified January 2024. Metadata is provided for reference; item wording is available inside Folio Surveyor, subject to each instrument's licensing.