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Categories: Assessment , Psychology
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The UCLA Loneliness Scale-8 (ULS-8) measures your perceived social connectedness through eight research-validated statements rated on a four-point frequency scale.

This tool adds your answers, reverses positively phrased items, and sums the values to classify loneliness as Low, Moderate, or High via a semi-circular charting layer.

For example, someone checking feelings after a recent move can gauge adjustment and plan outreach; scores should not replace professional advice. **Results do not constitute a clinical diagnosis.**

Technical Details:

The ULS-8 is an abridged psychological instrument that quantifies subjective loneliness by asking eight items drawn from the original twenty-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Each item is scored 1 (never) to 4 (often); two items are reverse-scored to correct positive wording. The summed score (8 – 32) correlates with mental-health markers and social-support indices.

The total score S is calculated as:

S= ∑18 s⁢i
  • si – item score (1 – 4); for items 7 & 8 substitute 5 − value.
Score RangeBandImplication
8 – 15LowTypical connection; maintain supportive habits.
16 – 23ModerateSome isolation; benefit from planned social activity.
24 – 32HighMarked loneliness; consider structured support.

Band labels help prioritise coping strategies and referrals without labelling a disorder.

ParameterMeaningUnit/DatatypeTypical Range
Item responseUser-selected frequencyInteger 1–41–4
Reversed indexItems 7 & 8 reverse-scoredBoolean flag—
Total score SSum after reversalInteger8–32
  • Assumes honest self-report.
  • Captures feelings over one week only.
  • Not validated for children under 13.
  • Cultural factors may shift score interpretation.
  • Incomplete answers yield no score.
  • Uniform answers (all 1s or 4s) compress variance.
  • Mis-reading reversed items inflates totals.
  • Extreme social contexts (e.g., quarantine) skew norms.

ULS-8 psychometrics are detailed in Hays & DiMatteo (1987) and validated against depression scales; recent studies confirm three-band thresholds align with clinical interviews.

This client-side assessment processes non-identifiable data and aligns with GDPR requirements.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Complete the assessment in sequence or jump between items as needed.

  1. Click Start Assessment.
  2. Read the displayed statement.
  3. Select Never, Rarely, Sometimes, or Often.
  4. Continue until all eight items show a checkmark.
  5. Review your total score and band on the gauge.

FAQ:

Is my data stored?

No. Responses stay entirely in your browser and disappear when you close the page.

How long does it take?

Most users finish and view results in under two minutes.

Can I change an answer?

Yes. Click any question number in the side list to revise your choice before finishing.

What does a high score mean?

Scores above 23 suggest pronounced feelings of loneliness that may warrant supportive action.

Is this a diagnosis?

No. It is a screening tool that highlights possible concerns but does not diagnose any condition.

Glossary:

ULS-8
Eight-item short form of the UCLA Loneliness Scale.
Reverse Scoring
Adjusting positively worded items by 5 − value.
Band
Categorical label signalling score severity.
Subjective Loneliness
Personal perception of social isolation.
Screening Tool
Instrument identifying potential issues without diagnosing.

No data is transmitted or stored server-side.