Loneliness in different relationships: Reliability and validity of the German version of Schmidt and Sermat's (1983) Differential Loneliness Scale

Author(s): Lamm, H.

Journal/Book: Z Sozpsychol. 1998; 29: Langgass-Strasse 76, CH-3000 Bern 9, Switzerland. Verlag Hans Huber. 51-55.

Abstract: One hundred and twenty-one female education students answered our German versions of Schmidt and Sermat's (1983) Differential Loneliness Scale (DLS) and of Russell, Peplau, and Cutrona's (1980) Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. They also provided self-ratings regarding their loneliness and on how satisfied they were with their social relationships. The DLS measures loneliness in the domains of family, friends, romantic/sexual relationships, and groups/community. The reliability of our German version is high (Cronbach's alpha = .91). Using principal-components analysis, we obtained nearly the same factorial structure as Schmidt and Sermat (1983). Correlations with the UCLA scale and the self-ratings provided evidence for the validity of the scale. The subscale <<Relationships with friends> > correlated significantly higher than the other subscales with the UCLA scale and with global relationship satisfaction. We discuss the usefulness of the DLS, and we compare the DLS and the UCLA scale.

Note: Article Lamm H, Univ Cologne, Erziehungswissensch Fak, Inst Psychol, Gronewaldstr 2, D-50931 Cologne, GERMANY

Keyword(s): loneliness; satisfaction; scale development; diagnostics; interpersonal relations

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