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Performance of an Abbreviated Version of the Lubben Social Network Scale Among Three European Community-Dwelling Older Adult Populations

Correspondence: Address correspondence to A. Stuck, University Department of Geriatrics, Spital Bern Ziegler and Inselspital, 3001 Bern, Switzerland. E-mail: andreas.stuck{at}spitalbern.ch

Purpose: There is a need for valid and reliable short scales that can be used to assess social networks and social supports and to screen for social isolation in older persons. Design and Methods: The present study is a cross-national and cross-cultural evaluation of the performance of an abbreviated version of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), which was used to screen for social isolation among community-dwelling older adult populations in three European countries. Based on the concept of lack of redundancy of social ties we defined clinical cut-points of the LSNS-6 for identifying persons deemed at risk for social isolation. Results: Among all three samples, the LSNS-6 and two subscales (Family and Friends) demonstrated high levels of internal consistency, stable factor structures, and high correlations with criterion variables. The proposed clinical cut-points showed good convergent validity, and classified 20% of the respondents in Hamburg, 11% of those in Solothurn (Switzerland), and 15% of those in London as at risk for social isolation. Implications: We conclude that abbreviated scales such as the LSNS-6 should be considered for inclusion in practice protocols of gerontological practitioners. Screening older persons based on the LSNS-6 provides quantitative information on their family and friendship ties, and identifies persons at increased risk for social isolation who might benefit from in-depth assessment and targeted interventions.

Key Words: Health promotion • Intervention study • Scale development • Social isolation • Social networks

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				V. C. Crooks, J. Lubben, D. B. Petitti, D. Little, and V. Chiu Social Network, Cognitive Function, and Dementia Incidence Among Elderly Women Am J Public Health, July 1, 2008; 98(7): 1221 - 1227. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]