Estructura factorial de la escala de soledad de de Jong Gierveld en personas mayores españolas

Abstract

Loneliness is an important component in the measurement of subjective wellbeing of elderly adults. The most influential instrument in Europe is the 11-item de Jong Gierveld loneliness scale (DJGLS; de Jong Gierveld and Kamphuis, 1985). The aim of this study was to examine, throughout factorial techniques, the internal structure the Spanish version of the DJGLS. Data were gathered from 328 communitydwelling elderly adults (M = 75.53, Range: 60-99 years). The factor analysis techniques revealed that the scale was essentially unidimensional (RMR =.088, AGFI =.970, NFI =.966). Reliability was.91. Neither substantive nor statistical reasons were found to consider the existence of a second factor. Our findings also revealed some psychometric problems in the measurement of the social and emotional aspects of loneliness. Emphasis is placed on the need to improve the scale and bear in mind the differences between collectivist and individualist cultures in the use of scales measuring wellbeing. © 2014: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia. Murcia (España).