EXPERIENCE OF LONELINESS QUESTIONNAIRE

Abstract

The article represents the results of elaborating the method of loneliness experience diagnostics. On the basis of theoretical analysis and literature review we identified five types of loneliness experience: ``Experience of loneliness as a negative feeling{''}, ``Denial the experience of loneliness{''}, ``Experience of loneliness as a temporary forced condition{''}, ``Loneliness as a result of fear to take responsibility{''}, ``Spiritual loneliness as absence of support and understanding{''}, ``Loneliness as a result of unattractiveness{''}. For measuring these types of experience of loneliness we designed the questionnaire of 30 statements. It was probed in the sample of 572 (preliminary university students) participants, single or in different types of relationship. The results of confirmatory factor analysis affirmed the theoretical structure of the questionnaire, all the scales showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.760.84). Convergent validity of scales was confirmed by high correlations with UCLA Loneliness Scale (r from 0.43 to 0.61 for different scales). Construct validity of scales was confirmed by expected correlations with subjective well-being, hopelessness, attachment styles and social phobia. Substantive influence on experience of loneliness showed factors of gender, age and types of relationships. Women demonstrated higher mean scores by all the scales of experience of loneliness except one ({''}Loneliness as a result of fear to take responsibility{''}). The influence of age and types of relationships on experience of loneliness differs in men and women. The proposed questionnaire open perspectives for measuring new interesting aspects of experience of loneliness and it may be recommended for investigations and consulting.