UCLA Loneliness Scale

The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a widely used tool to assess the extent to which individuals perceive themselves as socially isolated or lacking meaningful connections. Chronic loneliness is strongly associated with adverse neurological outcomes, including increased risk of depression, cognitive decline, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. By capturing the emotional and psychological dimensions of social disconnection, the scale provides insights into how loneliness impacts mental and brain health. It can guide targeted interventions, such as fostering social skills, improving relationship quality, and encouraging community engagement, to mitigate the negative effects of isolation.