Loneliness Scale

Abstract

The Eenzaamheidsschaal (Loneliness Scale), developed by de Jong-Gierveld and Kamphuis in 1985, is a psychometrically robust instrument designed for use in scientifically grounded questionnaire research. This scale operationalizes the concept of social and emotional loneliness, which was thoroughly defined during the 1970s and 1980s. Its primary objective was to replace earlier, relatively shorter, and potentially less comprehensive instruments used in the field. The scale consists of 11 items, structured as 6 positively formulated statements and 5 negatively formulated statements. The core focus is the measurement of an individual’s subjective perception of a deficiency in relevant social relationships. Scores range from 0 to 11, where a higher score indicates a greater degree of experienced loneliness.

Keywords

Loneliness, Social Isolation, Emotional Loneliness, Social Relationships, Psychological Assessment, De Jong-Gierveld Scale, Psychometric Instrument, Questionnaire

Authors

de Jong-Gierveld J, Kamphuis F (1985)

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Eenzaamheidsschaal is to provide a standardized, reliable, and valid measure of subjective loneliness for academic and clinical research settings. Developed during a period of increased focus on social well-being, the scale aims to capture the multifaceted nature of loneliness, distinguishing between the emotional component (the absence of an intimate attachment figure) and the social component (the absence of a satisfying social network).

This instrument was specifically created to overcome the limitations of earlier, brief, single-item measures, offering a nuanced assessment tool that facilitates detailed analysis of the correlates and consequences of loneliness across different populations, particularly among adults and seniors. It functions as a key instrument in assessing aspects of societal-social life and interpersonal interactions and relationships.

Construct

The scale measures loneliness, defined as the subjective, unpleasant experience resulting from a discrepancy between the social relationships one desires and the social relationships one actually has. This construct is typically understood through a dual framework: Social Loneliness and Emotional Loneliness.

Social loneliness refers to the perceived deficiency in the quality or quantity of one’s social network (e.g., lack of friends, colleagues, or neighbors). Emotional loneliness pertains to the perceived lack of a deep, intimate, and meaningful attachment figure (e.g., a partner or close confidant). The 11 items of the Eenzaamheidsschaal are designed to tap into both dimensions, providing a comprehensive score reflecting the overall severity of the perceived deficit in relevant social connections.

Validity

The validity of the Eenzaamheidsschaal has been extensively studied since its introduction, demonstrating strong evidence for its construct validity. The scale typically shows expected correlations with related psychological constructs, such as depression, anxiety, and perceived social support, lending credence to its measurement capabilities. Specifically, the scale’s ability to differentiate between the two components—social and emotional loneliness—supports its theoretical grounding.

Additionally, studies frequently report high discriminant validity, confirming that the scale measures loneliness distinct from general negative affect or personality traits. The transparent structure (6 positive and 5 negative items) helps mitigate potential response biases, further enhancing the validity of the resulting scores. Detailed evidence regarding criterion and predictive validity is generally available in accompanying manuals and subsequent academic publications by the authors and other researchers utilizing the instrument.

Reliability

The reliability of the Eenzaamheidsschaal is generally reported as high, indicating strong internal consistency. The 11-item format, balanced between positively and negatively worded statements, contributes to the homogeneity of the measure. Various studies across different demographic groups have confirmed high Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, often exceeding the standard threshold of 0.80, suggesting that the items reliably measure the same underlying construct of loneliness.

High test-retest reliability has also been demonstrated, particularly over short to moderate time intervals, confirming the stability of the measurement when administered repeatedly to stable populations. This strong psychometrics profile ensures that the scale provides consistent measurement results, making it suitable for longitudinal studies and clinical tracking.

Factor Analysis

While the Eenzaamheidsschaal yields a single total score (0–11), subsequent factor analysis studies often confirm the presence of two correlated factors corresponding to the theoretical distinction between social loneliness and emotional loneliness. Although the scale is short, factor analytic techniques support the underlying theoretical structure proposed by de Jong-Gierveld.

These analyses typically indicate that the items load distinctly onto the two sub-factors, reinforcing the scale’s ability to capture the multidimensional nature of the loneliness experience. The consistent confirmation of this structure across diverse samples underscores the robustness of the instrument in measuring the specific psychological construct it was designed for.

Instrument

Test Type: Questionnaire

Format: 11-item self-report scale

Language Available: Primarily Dutch (original development), but widely translated for international use.

Population Group: General Population

Age Group: Adults and Seniors (Ouderen, Volwassenen)

Population Details: Suitable for assessing individuals experiencing varying degrees of subjective social or emotional relational deficits.

Test Methodology: The scale uses a forced-choice response format (often Yes/No or modified Likert-type responses) where the final score is calculated by summing the responses corresponding to experienced loneliness, resulting in a score between 0 and 11.

Keywords

Loneliness Scale, Jong-Gierveld, Social Deficit, Psychometric Tool, Internal Consistency, Construct Validity, Loneliness Assessment, Gerontology

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source content.

Correspondence Address: Not provided in source content.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was initially published in 1985 (de Jong-Gierveld & Kamphuis). Specific permissions and fees for current usage should be sought directly from the copyright holders or relevant academic publishers. Users should refer to the official documentation for licensing details.

The original PDF documentation (Toelichtingsformulier) can be accessed here: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/wp-content/uploads/instrumenten/186_1_N.pdf

Reference’s

• de Jong-Gierveld, J., & Kamphuis, F. (1985). The development of a scale measuring social and emotional loneliness. Journal of Gerontology, 40(3), 285–291.

• Further psychometric details and normative data are typically found in the scale manual or subsequent academic literature citing the 1985 publication.

Items of the Eenzaamheidsschaal

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

The specific text of the 11 items was not provided in the source content.