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

Chung-Ying Lin, Ching-Shu Tsai, Cian-Ruei Jian, Shu-Ru Chao, Peng-Wei Wang, Huang-Chi Lin, Mei-Feng Huang, Yi-Chun Yeh, Tai-Ling Liu, Cheng-Sheng Chen, Ya-Ping Lin, Shu-Ying Lee, Ching-Hua Chen, Yun-Chi Wang, Yu-Ping Chang, Yu-Min Chen and Cheng-Fang Yen
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Chung-Ying Lin: Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
Ching-Shu Tsai: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Cian-Ruei Jian: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Shu-Ru Chao: Department of Social Work, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
Peng-Wei Wang: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Huang-Chi Lin: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Mei-Feng Huang: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Yi-Chun Yeh: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Tai-Ling Liu: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Cheng-Sheng Chen: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Ya-Ping Lin: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Shu-Ying Lee: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Ching-Hua Chen: Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Yun-Chi Wang: Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Yu-Ping Chang: School of Nursing, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
Yu-Min Chen: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Cheng-Fang Yen: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: confirmatory factor analysis; loneliness; psychological well-being; psychometric properties; schizoaffective; schizophrenia; UCLA Loneliness Scale (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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