Relationships
Loneliness profile
6 questions · 2 min
This short questionnaire looks at loneliness in two ways. One is missing closeness, like feeling empty or rejected. The other is missing a wider circle, like not having enough people to rely on or trust.
The two don’t always go together. Someone can have a close partner but few friends, or lots of friends but no one really close.
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What it shows
How lonely you feel right now, in terms of close bonds and your wider circle of people.
What it doesn’t
A diagnosis, or a count of how many people you know.
Who it’s for
This test may help if you’ve been feeling lonely or disconnected and want to understand it a little better. Loneliness can come from missing someone close, from not having enough people around you, or both, and knowing which can help you think about what might help.
It can be useful at times of change, such as moving, retiring, a break-up, a bereavement or starting somewhere new. It’s short enough to take again after a few weeks to see how things are shifting.
Questions people ask
What does the De Jong Gierveld scale measure?
It measures two kinds of loneliness. Emotional loneliness is missing close bonds, like feeling empty or rejected; social loneliness is missing a wider circle of people you can rely on, trust and feel close to. You get a score for each and one for both together.
How long does it take?
There are 6 statements, and most people finish in about 2 minutes. For each one, you answer “No”, “More or less” or “Yes”.
How is it scored?
Each answer counts as 0 or 1. For the three statements about missing closeness, “Yes” or “More or less” counts as 1; for the three about having people to rely on, trust and feel close to, “No” or “More or less” counts as 1. That gives 0 to 3 for each side and 0 to 6 overall, with no official cut-offs.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. Loneliness isn’t an illness: it’s a feeling most people have at some point, and it can change. If loneliness is weighing on your mood, a doctor or someone you trust is a good person to talk to.
How often can I retake it?
About once a month. Loneliness can shift as your life changes, so taking it again can show how things are moving.
What can I do if I feel quite lonely?
You’re not alone in feeling this way. Reaching out to one person, even in a small way, can be a start, and talking to your doctor or someone you trust can help you find support nearby.
Where it comes from
Developed by Dutch sociologists Jenny de Jong Gierveld and Theo van Tilburg, and published as this short version in 2006.
De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale
On iPhone or iPad?
Sprout is an app there too, and this link opens the test straight away if you have it.
Coming soon to the App Store