Journal Article

Comparing the Psychometric Properties among Three Versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale in Individuals with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder

Lin, Ya-Ping, Huang, Mei-Feng, Yen, Cheng-Fang, Chao, Shu-Ru, Yeh, Yi-Chun, Wang, Peng-Wei, Chen, Yu-Min, Lee, Shu-Ying, Tsai, Ching-Shu, Jian, Cian-Ruei, Liu, Tai-Ling, Chen, Ching-Hua, Wang, Yun-Chi, Lin, Chung-Ying, Chang, Yu-Ping, Lin, Huang-Chi, Chen, Cheng-Sheng

2022

Overview

The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3; UCLA-LSV3) is widely used for assessing loneliness. Nevertheless, the validity of this scale for assessing loneliness in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder has not been determined. Additionally, studies validating the eight-item and three-item versions of UCLA-LSV3 have not included individuals with severe mental illness; therefore, whether the short versions are comparable to the full 20-item version of UCLA-LSV3 for this population is unclear. The present study examined the unidimensional structure, internal consistency, concurrent validity, and test–retest reliability of the Chinese versions of UCLA-LSV3 (i.e., 20-item, 8-item, and 3-item versions) to determine which version is most appropriate for assessing loneliness in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Taiwan. A total of 300 participants (267 with schizophrenia and 33 with schizoaffective disorder) completed the scales, comprising UCLA-LSV3, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the suicidality module of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia–Epidemiological Version (K-SADS-E), and the family and peer Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve (APGAR) index. Construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis. The three versions of UCLA-LSV3 were compared with the CES-D, the suicidality module of the K-SADS-E, and the family and peer APGAR index to establish concurrent validity. The results indicated that all three versions of UCLA-LSV3 exhibited acceptable to satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of unidimensional constructs, concurrent validity, and test–retest reliability. The full version of UCLA-LSV3 had the best performance, followed by the eight-item version and the three-item version. Moreover, the three versions had relatively strong associations with each other. Therefore, when deliberating which version of UCLA-LSV3 is the best choice for assessing loneliness in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, healthcare providers and therapists should consider time availability and practicality.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Analysis / Drug abuse / Epidemiology / Health care industry / Interviews / Loneliness / Medical personnel / Mental depression / Mental disorders / Mental health / Mentally ill / Peer tutoring / Quantitative psychology / Questionnaires / Schizoaffective disorder / Schizoaffective disorders / Schizophrenia / Suicides & suicide attempts / Validity