[Validation of the UCLA loneliness scale in an elderly population that live alone]

This article examines the growing social phenomenon of elderly people living alone from 2 points of view: the objective loneliness of living alone and the subjective loneliness of feeling lonely.

To validate the UCLA loneliness scale as a tool for the overall measurement of loneliness and to determine the social profile in elderly people living alone.

Observational study carried out over 2 years (2012-2013) to identify elderly people living alone; case-control study to validate the UCLA loneliness scale. The sample was taken from 3 surgeries belonging to 2 Primary Care health centres from urban and rural areas. We studied construct validity, discriminant validity and sensitivity analysis were analysed.

Of the elderly population studied 22.3% live alone, 61.7% due to loss of spouse, with a mean age of 70.7 years, and 82.7% women; 17.3% have no family ties and 63.2% feel lonely. UCLA loneliness scale has a construct validity with a high correlation between items. The discriminant validity was confirmed in relation to the elderly who do not live alone, with Cronbach alpha of 0.95, and it is sensitive to change.

One in 4-5 elderly live alone, mainly due to the loss of spouse. There are 3 times as many women as men who live alone. Two out of 3 experience the feeling of loneliness. The UCLA loneliness scale has proved to be a useful and sensitive tool to measure loneliness in the elderly population.