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Korean Translation and Validation of the Loneliness at Work Scale
Ganguk Lee1, Chunhui Suh1, Jungwook Kim1
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Pusan Paik Hospital, Inje University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Safety and Health at Work
|March 30, 2026
Summary
A new Korean version of the Loneliness at Work Scale (LAWS-K) has been validated, offering a reliable tool to measure workplace loneliness in South Korea. This assessment is crucial for understanding its impact on employee well-being and job performance.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Psychological Measurement
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Workplace loneliness significantly impacts employee emotional distress and job performance.
- Existing measurement tools for workplace loneliness in Korea are limited.
- This study addresses the need for a validated instrument to assess workplace loneliness among Korean employees.
Purpose of the Study:
- To translate and validate the Loneliness at Work Scale (LAWS) for the Korean population.
- To establish the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the LAWS (LAWS-K).
Main Methods:
- The LAWS was translated into Korean following international guidelines, including forward translation, reconciliation, back translation, review, and cognitive debriefing.
- A sample of 1,000 full-time Korean employees participated in the validation study, with a four-week follow-up for 200 participants.
- Reliability was assessed using internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest methods. Validity was examined through correlational analyses and confirmatory factor analysis.
Main Results:
- LAWS-K demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.936) and satisfactory test-retest reliability (r = 0.780).
- Confirmatory factor analysis supported a revised two-factor model, indicating good model fit.
- Strong criterion validity was shown through correlations with existing loneliness measures, and convergent validity was supported by correlations with occupational stress, psychological distress, work performance, engagement, and well-being.
Conclusions:
- The LAWS-K is a reliable and valid measure for assessing workplace loneliness in the Republic of Korea.
- This validated tool will aid Korean researchers and practitioners in evaluating workplace loneliness.
- The LAWS-K facilitates targeted interventions and research to address workplace loneliness as an occupational health concern.
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