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Psychometric Evaluation of Three Versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Full, Eight-Item, and Three-Item Versions) among Sexual Minority Men in Taiwan

Author

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  • Chung-Ying Lin

    (Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
    Biostatistics Consulting Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
    Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
    Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan)

  • Ching-Shu Tsai

    (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Chia-Wei Fan

    (Department of Occupational Therapy, AdventHealth University, Orlando, FL 32803, USA)

  • Mark D. Griffiths

    (International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK)

  • Chih-Cheng Chang

    (Department of Psychiatry, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 70246, Taiwan
    Department of Health Psychology, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan 71101, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Fang Yen

    (Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
    College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan)

  • Amir H. Pakpour

    (Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden)

Abstract

The UCLA Loneliness Scale, with different short versions, is widely used to assess levels of loneliness. However, whether the scale is valid in assessing loneliness among sexual-minority men is unknown. Additionally, it is unclear whether the 8-item and 3-item short versions are comparable to the full 20-item version. The present study compared the validity of the three versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (i.e., 20-item, 8-item, and 3-item versions) among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. The participants comprised 400 gay and bisexual men in Taiwan who completed a cross-sectional online survey, which included the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate factorial validity. Convergent validity was examined between the three versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the CES-D and STAI. Known-group validity was investigated with participants’ sexual orientation and educational levels. The unidimensional construct was supported in all three versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale tested in the present study. Convergent validity was supported as the level of loneliness was correlated with the level of depression and anxiety for all three versions. There were no significant differences between gay and bisexual men, although significant differences were found across different educational levels. The study confirmed that all three versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale were comparable with satisfactory reliability and validity in Taiwanese sexual-minority men.

Suggested Citation

  • Chung-Ying Lin & Ching-Shu Tsai & Chia-Wei Fan & Mark D. Griffiths & Chih-Cheng Chang & Cheng-Fang Yen & Amir H. Pakpour, 2022. "Psychometric Evaluation of Three Versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Full, Eight-Item, and Three-Item Versions) among Sexual Minority Men in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:8095-:d:853821
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    1. Mei-Feng Huang & Yu-Ping Chang & Chung-Ying Lin & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2022. "A Newly Developed Scale for Assessing Experienced and Anticipated Sexual Stigma in Health-Care Services for Gay and Bisexual Men," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-10, October.
    2. Anita Padmanabhanunni & Tyrone Pretorius, 2023. "The Resilience of South African School Teachers in the Time of COVID-19: Coping with Risk of Infection, Loneliness, and Anxiety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Chung-Ying Lin & Yu-Ping Chang & Wen-Jiun Chou & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2023. "Assessing Enacted Sexual Stigma toward Gay and Bisexual Men in the Military: The Enacted Sexual Stigma Experiences Scale in Military Service," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-10, January.

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