LONELINESS AMONG PORTUGUESE ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometrics characteristics of the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale with Portuguese adolescents. Adolescents from the public schools of Porto were presented with the UCLA Loneliness Scale, with the Self-Consciousness Scale, with the Clinical Self-Concept Inventory, and also responded to some additional questions. The Loneliness Scale proved satisfactory on various criteria with adolescents. No gender and sociocultural differences were found. A negative correlation was found with public self-consciousness, total self-concept and their dimensions, and self-rated physical attractiveness. Positive correlations were found with social anxiety and shyness. The psychological variables that best predicted loneliness were happiness, social anxiety, social acceptance and public self-consciousness. The factorial structure of the UCLA Loneliness Scale tended to support the multidimensionality of the scale. The obtained results provided evidence supporting the validity and reliability of the scale with Portuguese adolescents.