Journal Article Ahead of print
PubMed: 42487240 DOI: 10.1177/13591045261471023
Persian Version of the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale; a Validation Study in Iranian Children and Adolescence.
Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry
Authors: Mohadeseh Arefian, Ibrahim Abdollahpour, Maryam Yazdi, Roya Kelishadi
Affiliations
- Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
- Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
- Diabetes Research Centre, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Abstract
Background/objectivesLoneliness, characterized by the absence of meaningful social and personal connections, is recognized as a significant adverse health condition. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the 8-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (P-ULS-8) among Iranian children and adolescents.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among 100 school-aged students in Isfahan, Iran. Standard forward-backward translation procedures were used, and content validity indices were calculated. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Convergent validity was evaluated via Spearman's correlation between the 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-20) and P-ULS-8. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to approve construct validity.ResultsCronbach α and ICC for the overall scale were 79.0% and 0.86, respectively. Scale content validity indices for relevancy, clarity, and comprehensiveness were 95%, 90%, and 80%, respectively. A significant correlation was found between P-ULS-8 and ULS-20 (r Pearson = 0.74, p < .001), suggesting satisfactory convergent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis approved a two-factor structure for the Persian version of ULS-8.ConclusionsP-ULS-8 demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity indices. Considering its brevity, the Persian version of ULS-8 can be easily used in large-scale studies.
MeSH
Loneliness, Mental Disorders, Adolescent Psychiatry, Mental Health, Universities, Child