UCLA Loneliness Scale (UYO)

Loneliness and social belonging

SED — Social and Emotional Development 8–12 min Guidance specialist

UCLA Loneliness Scale (UYO) assesses loneliness and social belonging. A widely used self-report measure of loneliness. Loneliness is not the same as being alone, and it is not the same as having few friends; it is a felt gap between the relationships a student wants and the ones they have.

What it makes visible

Captures a state that peer-relationship measures can miss entirely.
Requires a guidance specialist, because the interpretation and the conversation that follows need training.
Read alongside social support, wellbeing and self-esteem rather than alone.

Scope and limits

This is a screening and assessment instrument; it does not make a clinical diagnosis. The exact scope of use must be verified against the relevant instrument form, its norm group and the conditions of administration.

UYO at a glance

Assessment area	SED — Social and Emotional Development
Measures	Loneliness and social belonging
Duration	8–12 min
Level	Lower secondary, Upper secondary
Administered by	Guidance specialist
Format	Individual / group / digital
Follow-up	Re-assessment after 3–6 months where appropriate

Focus of the area

Making visible how a student sees themselves, their social bonds, their wellbeing and the resources they draw on under stress.

Frequently asked questions

Because the result often needs a conversation, and how that conversation is opened materially affects the student. That is a trained skill.

Scope note

This structure is designed to support assessment, screening and guidance processes — not to make a clinical diagnosis. The aim is not to diagnose but to know the student more accurately, follow their development and identify the support they need in time.