Self-Assessment
UCLA Loneliness Scale
Measure your feelings of social connection and isolation with this validated 20-question assessment developed by researchers at UCLA.
Research-inspired adaptation ยท Based on Russell (1996) UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3
What Does This Test Measure?
Loneliness is the feeling that your social connections don't match what you want or need. It's about your subjective experience of isolation, not simply being alone.
Research Definition: Loneliness is a subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship. It occurs when there is a mismatch between the quantity and quality of social relationships we have and those we want.
Perlman & Peplau (1981)
How to answer: For each statement, indicate how often you generally feel that way. There are no right or wrong answers. Be honest with yourself for the most accurate results.
Your Loneliness Profile
Based on your responses
Score Interpretation
The UCLA Loneliness Scale has no official clinical cut-offs. These ranges are commonly used in research for general interpretation.
Understanding Your Score
What You Can Do
- Loneliness is common: Many people experience loneliness at various points in life. A high score doesn't mean something is wrong with you.
- It's distinct from being alone: You can feel lonely in a crowd or perfectly content when alone. The scale measures subjective feelings, not objective isolation.
- Loneliness can change: Life circumstances, relationships, and efforts to connect can shift your experience over time.
- Chronic loneliness matters: Persistent loneliness is linked to health outcomes, so it's worth addressing if it continues.
The Science Behind This Scale
From the Research
"The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a 20-item scale designed to measure one's subjective feelings of loneliness as well as feelings of social isolation."
โ Russell, D. (1996). UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): Reliability, Validity, and Factor Structure . Journal of Personality Assessment, 66(1), 20-40.
Development History
The UCLA Loneliness Scale was first developed by Russell, Peplau, and Ferguson in 1978. The original version had all negatively-worded items. A revised version (1980) added positively-worded items to reduce response bias. Version 3 (1996) simplified the wording for broader use, including with elderly populations.
What Makes It Unique
- Measures subjective loneliness, not objective social network size
- Uses a mix of positive and negative items to reduce bias
- Single overall score (unidimensional construct)
- Extensively validated across cultures, ages, and populations
Psychometric data from Russell (1996) validation studies
Why Loneliness Matters
From the Research
"Loneliness has been linked with depression, poor social support, neuroticism, and introversion... However, the data presented here clearly show that loneliness is not equivalent to these constructs."
โ Russell, D., Peplau, L.A., & Cutrona, C.E. (1980). The Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale: Concurrent and Discriminant Validity Evidence . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39(3), 472-480.
Health Implications
Research has shown that chronic loneliness is associated with various health outcomes:
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Weakened immune function
- Higher cortisol levels (stress hormone)
- Poorer sleep quality
- Accelerated cognitive decline in older adults
From the Research
"Social isolation and loneliness are associated with a 29% and 26% increased likelihood of mortality, respectively."
โ Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T.B., et al. (2015). Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality . Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227-237.
Not the Same as Being Alone
A key finding from loneliness research is that social isolation (objective lack of contact) and loneliness (subjective feeling) are related but distinct. Some people with few social contacts feel perfectly content, while others with active social lives can feel profoundly lonely. The UCLA scale specifically measures the subjective experience.
About This Implementation
This tool uses the official UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) items, which are available for non-commercial research and educational use. We present the validated questions exactly as published by Russell (1996).
Scoring Method
- 20 items total, each scored 1-4 (Never to Often)
- 9 items are positively worded and reverse-scored
- Total score ranges from 20 (minimum) to 80 (maximum)
- Higher scores indicate greater loneliness
Interpretation Ranges
The original authors did not establish clinical cut-offs. The ranges below are commonly used in research for general categorization:
| Score Range | Level | General Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 20-34 | Low | Generally feels connected and not lonely |
| 35-49 | Moderate | Some loneliness; common range for many adults |
| 50-64 | High | Notably elevated loneliness |
| 65-80 | Very High | Frequent and intense feelings of loneliness |
Ranges based on Deckx et al. (2014) systematic review of loneliness research.
Note: These ranges are descriptive, not diagnostic. There is no score that officially classifies someone as "lonely" or "not lonely." Scores should be interpreted as relative indicators, not absolute categories.
Key Sources
- Russell, D., Peplau, L.A., & Ferguson, M.L. (1978). Developing a measure of loneliness. Journal of Personality Assessment, 42(3), 290-294.
- Russell, D., Peplau, L.A., & Cutrona, C.E. (1980). The Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39(3), 472-480.
- Russell, D. (1996). UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3). Journal of Personality Assessment, 66(1), 20-40.
- Hughes, M.E., et al. (2004). A short scale for measuring loneliness in large surveys. Research on Aging, 26(6), 655-672.
Loneliness Is More Common Than You Think
Studies suggest roughly 40% of adults report feeling lonely sometimes or often. Loneliness rates have increased in recent decades, particularly among young adults.
Data from various population surveys including AARP, Cigna, and UK Office for National Statistics
About This Assessment
Research Foundation
This tool implements the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) developed by Dr. Daniel Russell and colleagues. The scale items are reproduced as published in Russell (1996), Journal of Personality Assessment. The UCLA Loneliness Scale is made available for non-commercial research and educational purposes by its authors.
Important Limitations
- Not diagnostic: This is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical assessment. Loneliness is not a medical diagnosis, and no score indicates a "disorder."
- Scores are relative: The original researchers emphasize there are no official cut-off scores. Interpretation ranges are approximate guidelines used in research, not clinical thresholds.
- One point in time: Your score reflects how you feel currently. Loneliness can fluctuate based on life circumstances, recent events, and other factors.
When to Seek Support
If persistent loneliness is affecting your daily life, mood, or wellbeing, consider reaching out to a mental health professional, counselor, or trusted person in your life. Loneliness itself is not a clinical condition, but chronic loneliness can contribute to depression and other concerns worth addressing.