Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39780277›Full record

ArticleBMC psychology2025

Psychometric analysis of the three item loneliness scale in the Czech Republic.

Zdenek Meier, Lukas Novak, Jakub Helvich, Patrik Licka, Peter Tavel

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Article in BMC psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Zdenek MeierOlomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, Univerzitni 244/22, Olomouc, 771 11, Czech Republic.
Lukas NovakOlomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, Univerzitni 244/22, Olomouc, 771 11, Czech Republic. l.j.novak@umcg.nl.
Jakub HelvichDepartment of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
Patrik LickaOlomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, Univerzitni 244/22, Olomouc, 771 11, Czech Republic.
Peter TavelOlomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, Univerzitni 244/22, Olomouc, 771 11, Czech Republic.

Funding

ERDF/ESF project DigiWELL CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004583
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThere is a growing importance of loneliness measurement through valid and reliable instruments. However, to establish valid and reliable measures, there is a need to explore their psychometric properties in different research settings and language environments. For this reason, this study aimed to validate the Three Item Loneliness Scale (TILS) in the Czech Republic within a Slavonic language environment.

methodsA sample of Czech adults (n = 3236) was used consisting primarily of university students. We utilized Classical Test Theory to assess TILS internal consistency, temporal stability, and factor structure. Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to estimate Differential Item Functioning (DIF), the discrimination and difficulty of the TILS items and to estimate the measurement precision of the whole scale. Construct validity was explored through the Spearman correlation coefficient using personality traits, depression, and anxiety.

resultsThe results showed satisfactory reliability and validity of the TILS in the Czech Republic. The scale's internal consistency and temporal stability were found to be satisfactory (Cronbach's α = 0.81, McDonald's ω = 0.82, ICC = 0.71). The parallel analysis supported the unidimensionality of the TILS. The IRT results indicated that the highest measurement precision was reached in individuals with lower and above-average levels of loneliness. Significant correlations between the TILS scores, anxiety, depression, and personality traits supported the construct validity of the scale. Although the DIF analysis identified statistically significant differences in responses to items TILS_2 and TILS_3 based on education level and employment status (with no significant differences observed for TILS_1), the effect sizes of these differences were small. This indicates that, despite statistical significance, the practical impact on the scale's validity across these groups is minimal.

conclusionsThe validated TILS provides a reliable and valid tool for assessing loneliness in the Czech Republic. Its brevity makes it a practical option for researchers and clinicians seeking to measure loneliness time-efficiently. Future studies should explore how adding new items could increase the measurement precision of the TILS.

Indexed as

LonelinessPsychometricsAdolescentAdultAnxietyCzech RepublicDepressionFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedReproducibility of ResultsSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultItem response theoryLonelinessMeasurementPsychometric PropertiesTILSValidation

Identifiers

PMID39780277
PMCPMC11716404

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.