Performance of an Abbreviated Version of the Lubben Social Network Scale among Three European Community-Dwelling Older Adult Populations

Autor/inn/en	Lubben, James; Blozik, Eva; Gillmann, Gerhard; Iliffe, Steve; von Renteln-Kruse, Wolfgang; Beck, John C.; Stuck, Andreas E.
Titel	Performance of an Abbreviated Version of the Lubben Social Network Scale among Three European Community-Dwelling Older Adult Populations
Quelle	In: Gerontologist, 46 (2006) 3, S.503-513 (11 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0016-9013
Schlagwörter	Older Adults; Social Isolation; Risk; Social Networks; Foreign Countries; Measures (Individuals); Cross Cultural Studies; Identification; Gerontology; At Risk Persons; Intervention; Statistical Analysis; Mental Health; Factor Analysis; Correlation; Validity; Germany; Switzerland; United Kingdom (London) + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Älterer Erwachsener; Soziale Isolation; Risiko; Social network; Soziales Netzwerk; Ausland; Messdaten; Cultural comparison; Kulturvergleich; Identifikation; Identifizierung; Gerontologie; Risikogruppe; Statistische Analyse; Psychohygiene; Faktorenanalyse; Korrelation; Gültigkeit; Deutschland; Schweiz
Abstract	Purpose: There is a need for valid and reliable short scales that can be used to assess social networks and social supports and to screen for social isolation in older persons. Design and Methods: The present study is a cross-national and cross-cultural evaluation of the performance of an abbreviated version of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), which was used to screen for social isolation among community-dwelling older adult populations in three European countries. Based on the concept of lack of redundancy of social ties we defined clinical cut-points of the LSNS-6 for identifying persons deemed at risk for social isolation. Results: Among all three samples, the LSNS-6 and two subscales (Family and Friends) demonstrated high levels of internal consistency, stable factor structures, and high correlations with criterion variables. The proposed clinical cut-points showed good convergent validity, and classified 20% of the respondents in Hamburg, 11% of those in Solothurn (Switzerland), and 15% of those in London as at risk for social isolation. Implications: We conclude that abbreviated scales such as the LSNS-6 should be considered for inclusion in practice protocols of gerontological practitioners. Screening older persons based on the LSNS-6 provides quantitative information on their family and friendship ties, and identifies persons at increased risk for social isolation who might benefit from in-depth assessment and targeted interventions. (Contains 6 tables.) (Author).
Anmerkungen	The Gerontological Society of America. 1030 15th Street NW Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-842-1275; Fax: 202-842-1150; e-mail: geron@geron.org; Web site: http://www.geron.org/journals/gsapub.htm.
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10