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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The UCLA 3-item loneliness scale is a concise social-connection screening tool used to identify perceived loneliness and social isolation risk in healthcare and community settings.
Formula: Total loneliness score = sum of 3 items (range 3-9).
The UCLA 3-item loneliness scale was developed from the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale for large health surveys and has demonstrated good reliability and construct validity in older adult and population cohorts. Scores are interpreted as a continuum (3-9), and program thresholds should be selected according to local population and intervention goals.
Higher scores indicate greater perceived loneliness and support targeted social-connection interventions.
Use in primary care, geriatrics, and community-health screening where social isolation risk may affect health outcomes.
The scale is brief and perception-based; it does not by itself measure objective social network size or diagnose psychiatric disorders.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
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