A Reliability Generalization Study of Coefficient Alpha for the UCLA Loneliness Scale

Abstract

Loneliness is a psychological construct that has been reported in a variety of populations and associated with a number of other negative psychological problems. This study was an examination of coefficient alpha of a prominent measure of loneliness: the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona, 1980; Russell, 1996). We utilized reliability generalization to provide an aggregate estimate of the reliability of the scale over time and in a variety of populations as well as to assess and identify sampling and demographic characteristics associated with variability in coefficient alpha. Of the 213 studies examined, 80 had reported alpha estimates, and we used them in this analysis. We discuss conditions associated with variability in coefficient alpha along with pertinent implications for practice and future research.

A Reliability Generalization Study of Coefficient Alpha for the Life Orientation Test

“…Perhaps a LOT adapted for adolescents with more age appropriate content is warranted. This finding has been observed in other RG studies (Vassar, 2008;Vassar & Crosby, 2008), which may suggest less consistent response patterns among adolescents on self-report instruments. Interestingly, the mean alpha coefficient for adolescents was .61, whereas the nonadolescent mean alpha was .74.…”

“…Across analyses, we found that alpha was related to standard deviation, language, and adolescence. Vassar and Crosby's (2008) RG study of the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona, 1980), also found that standard deviation was related to internal consistency estimates, which is consistent with the formulaic characteristics of coefficient alpha. Vassar and Crosby discussed this matter in greater detail.…”

Reliability and Validity of the Roberts UCLA Loneliness Scale (RULS-8) With Dutch-Speaking Adolescents in Belgium

“…It is important to realize that the results of the present article, while encouraging, are dependent on a set of basic assumptions in (Vassar & Crosby, 2008). To the extent that the value used represents an overestimate, the expected degree of attenuation may be less pronounced than assumed in the present analyses.…”

Young Adults’ Emotional Reactions After Hooking Up Encounters

“…The eight item version used required participants to make ratings on a four-point scale, with the anchors 1 (Never) to 4 (Often). UCLA Loneliness scale has demonstrated adequate reliability across samples and is commonly related to numerous indicators of psychological distress (e.g., depression, low selfesteem; see Vassar & Crosby, 2008). The Cronbach alpha in this study was .84.…”