Presentation Schedule
Validation of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale – Short Version for Older Adults in Portugal (101934)
Tuesday, 24 March 2026 13:15
Session: Poster Session 1
Room: Orion Hall (5F)
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Loneliness is increasingly recognized as major public health concer of the 21st century, with negative outcomes particularly among for older adults. Assessing loneliness is a crucial step in identifying those at risk. The six-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS-6) is one of the most widely used instruments worldwide, but evidence of its validation in Portuguese older adults remains limited. This study examined the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the Portuguese version of the DJGLS-6 in community-dwelling older adults. A descriptive, correlational study was conducted with 466 Portuguese older adults (65+ years old). Data collection included sociodemographic and health variables, the DJGLS-6, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-16). Analyses comprised exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson’s correlations, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability, CR). Factor analyses supported a a two-dimensional structure of the DJGLS-6 (social and emotional loneliness) with adequate fit indices. The scale correlated strongly with the UCLA-16 (r ≥ 0.6). Test–retest reliability over two weeks was excellent (r = 0.889, p < 0.001; ICC = 0.936) with good agreement in Bland–Altman plots (7.01% of scores outside the 95% CI: [-3.91, 3.73]). Internal consistency was satisfactory (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.67; CR = 0.75). Overall, the Portuguese DJGLS-6 demonstrated robust psychometric properties, supporting its use as a reliable and valid tool for assessing loneliness in older adults.
Authors:
Liliana Sousa, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Sara Guerra, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Carolina Soares, Extragenária, Portugal
Oscar Ribeiro, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Sofia Silva, Escola Superior de Educação, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Portugal
João Tavares, University of Aveiro, Portugal
About the Presenter(s)
Dr Liliana Sousa is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at University of Aveiro in Portugal
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