Performance of an abbreviated version of the Lubben Social Network Scale among three European community-dwelling older adult populations

Lubben, James; Blozik, Eva; Gillmann, Gerhard; Iliffe, Steve; von Renteln Kruse, Wolfgang; Beck, John C; Stuck, Andreas E (2006). Performance of an abbreviated version of the Lubben Social Network Scale among three European community-dwelling older adult populations. Gerontologist, 46(4), pp. 503-13. Cary, N.C.: Oxford University Press 10.1093/geront/46.4.503

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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.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Pre-clinic Human Medicine > Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of General Internal Medicine (DAIM) > Geriatric Clinic

UniBE Contributor:

Blozik, Eva, Gillmann, Gerhard, Stuck, Andreas

ISSN:

0016-9013

ISBN:

16921004

Publisher:

Oxford University Press

Language:

English

Submitter:

Factscience Import

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 14:46

Last Modified:

20 Dec 2022 12:28

Publisher DOI:

10.1093/geront/46.4.503

PubMed ID:

16921004

Web of Science ID:

000239941000010

BORIS DOI:

10.48350/19301

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/19301 (FactScience: 1831)

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