Abstract

The present paper is to report the development and validation of a loneliness scale that is based on a second-order common factor model assuming first-order factors incorporating four different theoretical perspectives toward loneliness. The scale consists of 40 items to measure the sense of estrangement (interpersonal loneliness), reduced sociability (intrapersonal loneliness), the sense of isolation (existential loneliness), and the sense of self-worth as a known preventive and alleviating factor. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses involving 1,170 respondents between the ages of 18 and 75 clearly showed a second-order common factor structure consisting of four primary factors. The reliability of the scale was found acceptable with internal consistency coefficients () ranged between .881 and .962. Criterion validity, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, and construct validity were all confirmed as expected. Since the loneliness scale developed in this study measures various types of loneliness experienced by adults in a wide age range, it is expected that it can be used as a tool to provide basic data on the general reality of loneliness and social isolation experienced by people in the society.