The UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale is a brief assessment designed to measure feelings of loneliness in older adults by evaluating three key areas: relational connectedness, social connectedness, and perceived isolation. This scale is a simplified version of the original 20-item instrument, making it easier and quicker to administer. An example question is, "How often do you feel left out?" with response options of "Hardly ever," "Some of the time," or "Often." Screening for loneliness in older adults is important because loneliness can negatively impact both mental and physical health, increasing the risk of conditions such as depression.

Self-report

3

18+, most commonly used with adults aged 50+

No recommended standard frequency; Blueprint recommends weekly.

Responses provided on the measure are scored as 1 (“Hardly ever”), 2 (“Some of the time”), or 3 (“Often”). Scoring the UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale involves summing the responses for the three questions, resulting in a total score between 3 and 9. Lower scores (3-5) indicate that the person is generally considered to be not lonely, while higher scores (6-9) suggest significant feelings of loneliness. Clinicians and caregivers can use these scores to identify individuals who may benefit from interventions such as suggesting increased social engagement, volunteering, or other forms of community involvement. Tracking the individual's progress after implementing suggested activities can help determine the effectiveness of interventions in reducing loneliness.

N/A

Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2004). A Short Scale for Measuring Loneliness in Large Surveys: Results From Two Population-Based Studies. Research on Aging, 26(6), 655–672. https://doi.org/10.1177/0164027504268574

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