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The dimensionality of the UCLA loneliness scale in early adolescents
Author(s) -
Mahon Noreen E.,
Yarcheski Adela
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
research in nursing and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1098-240X
pISSN - 0160-6891
DOI - 10.1002/nur.4770130108
Subject(s) - loneliness , scale (ratio) , assertion , psychology , dimension (graph theory) , construct (python library) , artifact (error) , construct validity , curse of dimensionality , psychometrics , developmental psychology , social psychology , computer science , artificial intelligence , mathematics , cartography , neuroscience , pure mathematics , programming language , geography
The dimensionality of the UCLA Loneliness Scale was assessed in 326 adolescents aged 12 to 14. Based on theoretical grounds, a one‐factor solution was examined. The results lend limited support to the assertion that the instrument measures a single dimension of loneliness. Factor solutions ranging from three to five were unacceptable according to the methodological criteria used in this study. A two‐factor solution met the methodological criteria but the results were suggestive of a method artifact. This possibility was explored using a procedure that follows the logic of construct validation. The findings suggested that the instrument has two substantive dimensions. Continued support of the bidimen‐sionality of the instrument would have implications for theory development regarding the phenomenon of loneliness.