[Reference standards for the loneliness scale]

This article focuses on the cutting scores for the measurement of loneliness on the Loneliness Scale. A cutting score is used to distinguish the lonely from the not lonely. Data have been analyzed relating to interviews with 3,823 respondents (54-89 years old) who live independently. Use has been made of the individuals' self-assessed level of loneliness. More than would be the case with arbitrary cutting scores, this is in keeping with the individuals' own perception. The figures show that 68% of the elderly persons in the Netherlands are not lonely, 28% are moderately lonely, and 4% are quite lonely. Previous research used a lower cutting score and, consequently, observed that much more people are lonely.