Psychometric properties of the social isolation scale for older adults in geriatric long-term care facilities

Identifying whether older adults are experiencing social isolation is a primary step in related research. In geriatric long-term care facilities (g-LTCFs), the social environment and support structures for older adults are different. This study aims to develop and assess the psychometric properties of a social isolation scale for older adults in g-LTCFs. We used a convenience sampling method and collected 397 valid questionnaires. Through factor analysis, the social isolation scale consists of 19 items across 4 dimensions: social interaction, social support, loneliness, and demoralization. These dimensions explained 81.602 % of the total variance, with acceptable model fit indices. The scale was correlated with both the LSNS-6 and UCLA scales (r = -0.784 and 0.727), demonstrating good criterion-related validity. Reliability analysis demonstrated strong internal consistency, with a Cronbach's α of 0.946, split-half reliability of 0.803, and test-retest reliability of 0.903. The scale is suitable for older adults in g-LTCFs, facilitating identification of social isolation.