UCLA Loneliness Scale (20 Items)

 

Scoring:

• Range: 20-80 (20 items, 1-4 each).


• Reverse-scored items (1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19, 20): These are positively worded, so "Never" (1) becomes 4, "Rarely" (2) becomes 3, etc., via (5 - value).


• Negative items (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18): Scored as is (1-4).

Interpretation:

• ≤35: Low loneliness


• 36-50: Moderate loneliness



• 50: High loneliness These are approximate cutoffs based on common usage; exact thresholds can vary slightly in research.

Verification:

• All "Never" (1): Reverse items = 4 each (9 × 4 = 36), Others = 1 each (11 × 1 = 11) → 36 + 11 = 47 (Moderate).


• All "Often" (4): Reverse = 1 each (9 × 1 = 9), Others = 4 each (11 × 4 = 44) → 9 + 44 = 53 (High). The logic holds for the scale’s intent.