The applicability of the UCLA loneliness scale in South Africa: Factor structure and dimensionality

This study examines the generalisability of University California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale Version 3 (UCLA-LS3) in a South African sample young adults. In particular, it examined normative data, reliability, and factor structure this scale. The participants were adults (N = 337) who randomly sampled from university population they responded to UCLA Scale. It was found that had higher loneliness scores than those reported literature, potentially suggesting may be significant mental health concern amongst group. Women levels men. Reliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha) influence individual items on mean, variance, alpha demonstrated UCLA-LS3 highly satisfactory internal consistency sample. Confirmatory (CFA) used test four conceptualisations UCLA-LS3: one-factor model, correlated three-factor bifactor model with two subscales, three subscales. Notably, CFA models are better fit subscales is marginally Ancillary confirmed dimensionality scale as sufficient variance accounted for by after attributable total partitioned out. Therefore, best conceptualised comprising (isolation, relational connectedness, collective connectedness), addition