Brief overview of the Russell UCLA Loneliness Scale Overview

The UCLA Loneliness Scale, developed by Russell and colleagues, is one of the most widely used instruments for measuring loneliness and perceived social isolation. The focus is not on whether you are “physically alone”, but on the inner experience of feeling lonely even when you are with others.

The questionnaire asks about your sense of connectedness, feeling understood, having close friendships, and everyday experiences of separation or disconnection. In the end, it yields an overall score that reflects the intensity of your subjective sense of loneliness.

What is the UCLA Loneliness Scale? What is the UCLA Loneliness Scale?

The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a self-report questionnaire that uses a series of statements to assess common experiences related to loneliness and social connectedness. You indicate how often each statement applies to you.

Its central focus is on your subjective feeling of loneliness. A person may appear to have many friends yet still feel deeply lonely on the inside – or, conversely, have a small social network but feel emotionally fulfilled.

• Type of tool: standardized self-report questionnaire
• Main focus: subjective loneliness, satisfaction with relationships, social bonds
• Use cases: clinical work, counseling, research, and self-exploration

What does this questionnaire measure, and who is it for? Domains & Target Group

The Russell UCLA Loneliness Scale captures several aspects of the experience of loneliness, such as:

• Feeling left out or “on the outside” in groups or social settings.
• Having (or lacking) close and meaningful relationships.
• Feeling understood – or misunderstood – by other people.
• Overall satisfaction with your social network (family, friends, colleagues).
• An inner sense of emotional emptiness, even in the presence of others.

The scale is suitable for teenagers, university students, adults, older adults, and in general anyone who wants a clearer picture of their level of loneliness – whether in a clinical context, in research, or for personal insight.

Applications of the UCLA Loneliness Scale Applications

The results of this scale can be useful in many contexts:

• Assessing loneliness in clients dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, and interpersonal difficulties.
• Examining the effects of life events such as migration, separation, retirement, or living alone in older age.
• Using the scale in research on mental health, social networks, quality of life, and psychological well-being.
• Monitoring changes in loneliness during therapy, participation in support groups, or lifestyle changes.

How is the UCLA Loneliness Scale administered? Administration

In the UCLA Loneliness Scale, you respond to a series of statements and indicate how well each one describes your experience over the past few weeks or months.

• Item content: statements about connection, closeness, separation, companionship, and feeling understood.
• Response format: multi-point scale (for example, from “never” to “often” or “always”).
• Administration: self-report; can be completed on paper or online.
• Estimated time: usually 10 minutes or less.

Before you complete the UCLA Loneliness Scale Before You Start

• Think about your overall experience in the past few weeks or months – not just one very stressful or very happy day.
• Focus on how you actually feel inside, not on how you think you “should” feel.
• Give yourself permission to answer honestly: “How lonely do I really feel in my life right now?”
• There are no right or wrong answers; the goal is increased awareness and the possibility of getting support if needed.
• If you feel very distressed while answering, you can pause and continue later when you feel safer.

Interpreting the Russell UCLA Loneliness Scale Interpretation

Your total score indicates how intense your feelings of loneliness are; higher scores reflect greater loneliness.

In professional use, your score is usually compared with published norms and guidelines to clarify whether your level of loneliness is in the mild, moderate, or high range. Even high scores, however, are not by themselves a formal “diagnosis”.

• Loneliness may be associated with depression, anxiety, stress, sleep problems, and lower quality of life.
• Knowing your level of loneliness can motivate you to strengthen your relationships, join supportive communities, and work on social skills.
• If your score is high, you do not have to deal with it alone; talking to a trusted friend or mental health professional can be very helpful.

It is important to view the result as a starting point for conversation and change, not as a permanent label for yourself.

A map of loneliness in the UCLA scale Loneliness Map

You can think of loneliness as a combination of several core domains that the UCLA scale touches on indirectly:

Frequently asked questions about the UCLA Loneliness Scale FAQ

Ethical considerations when using the UCLA Loneliness Scale Ethical Considerations

• The result should never be used to shame or blame someone for feeling lonely; loneliness is a human, changeable experience.
• Research use of the scale should always include informed consent and full protection of participants’ privacy.
• Professional interpretation is best done by someone familiar with psychometrics and mental health practice.
• Remember that the purpose of this tool is to see and hear lonely individuals and open a path toward support, not to label them.