The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a clinical calculator used to assess subjective feelings of loneliness or social isolation. This tool is applicable to a wide range of patient populations, including both adults and adolescents, and can be used in various settings such as mental health clinics, schools, and community health centers. The clinical utility of the UCLA Loneliness Scale lies in its ability to identify individuals who may be experiencing significant loneliness, which can be a risk factor for various mental and physical health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease. There are no specific exclusion criteria for its use, but it should be noted that this scale is subjective and relies on self-report, so it may not be as accurate in populations with cognitive impairment or difficulty with introspection.
Reference
Mary Elizabeth Hughes, Linda J Waite, Louise C Hawkley et al. A Short Scale for Measuring Loneliness in Large Surveys: Results From Two Population-Based Studies. Res Aging. 2004;26(6):655-672.
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