Validation of Expanded Form of Lubben Social Network Scale Among Community-Dwelling Geriatric Population in India

Overview

Journal Indian J Community Med

Date 2022 Aug 29

PMID 36034245

Authors

K Bincy

Muthunarayan Logaraj

V V Anatharaman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: For assessing social networks in the elderly and the social support they receive and to predict social isolation, a proper valid and reliable short-scale screening tool is necessary. The present study aims to estimate the internal consistency and structural validity of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-18) among community-dwelling Indian older adults.

Materials And Methods: We have administered the LSNS-18 scale to 500 older adults (>60 years) and performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling for the validation. Cronbach's alpha was done for estimating the internal consistency.

Results: The LSNS-18 was easily answerable and the only minimum time is required for administration. CFA identified three domains with six items for each domain that demonstrated a good fit for the older adults with the internal consistency of 0.91.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that LSNS-18 may be a valid tool for assessing the social network of the elderly and help to predict the risk for isolation in this vulnerable group.

Citing Articles

Sensor-Based Assessment of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: A Survey.

Prabhu D, Kholghi M, Sandhu M, Lu W, Packer K, Higgins L Sensors (Basel). 2022; 22(24).

PMID: 36560312 PMC: 9781772. DOI: 10.3390/s22249944.

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