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Research on Aging
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A 6-Item Scale for Overall, Emotional, and Social Loneliness

Confirmatory Tests on Survey Data

Jenny De Jong Gierveld

Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute Vrije Universiteit, gierveld{at}nidi.nl

Theo Van Tilburg

Vrije Universiteit

Loneliness is an indicator of social well-being and pertains to the feeling of missing an intimate relationship (emotional loneliness) or missing a wider social network (social loneliness). The 11-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale has proved to be a valid and reliable measurement instrument for overall, emotional, and social loneliness, although its length has sometimes rendered it difficult to use in large surveys. In this study, the authors empirically tested a shortened version of the scale on data from two surveys (N = 9,448). Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the specification of two latent factors. Congruent validity and the relationship with determinants (partner status, health) proved to be optimal. The 6-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale is a reliable and valid measurement instrument for overall, emotional, and social loneliness that is suitable for large surveys.

Key Words: loneliness scale • emotional loneliness • social loneliness • objective social isolation • partner status

Research on Aging, Vol. 28, No. 5, 582-598 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0164027506289723
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