Measuring multidimensional loneliness in Indonesia: Adaptation and comparison of two loneliness scales

Loneliness is closely linked to various mental health and physical health challenges. Despite numerous efforts, effective interventions for alleviating loneliness remain elusive, partly due to the lack of differentiation among different types of loneliness. The De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) and the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA-S) have proven to be valid and reliable tools for measuring emotional and social loneliness. However, Indonesian versions of these scales have not yet been developed or published. This study aims to provide preliminary evidence for which multidimensional loneliness measure is best suited for use with Indonesian adults. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the DJGLS and SELSA-S scales were adapted for the Indonesian context through forward and backward translation, followed by content reviews by three experts and cognitive interviews with four university students. In the second phase, the psychometric properties of both scales were compared using data from 183 participants. Results indicated that the social subscales of the DJGLS and SELSA-S measured similar constructs, whereas their emotional subscales assessed distinct constructs. However, the DJGLS supported a hierarchical model, while the SELSA-S demonstrated a good fit for a three-factor related model. Based on these findings, both the DJGLS and SELSA-S are recommended for use with Indonesian university students to distinguish between emotional and social loneliness. Notably, the DJGLS is particularly suitable for studies requiring a general loneliness score alongside separate measures of emotional and social loneliness. • The DJGLS is suitable for measuring general loneliness as well as emotional and social loneliness separately. However, qualitative data revealed some issues with the word "rejection" for university students in Indonesia. • The SELSA-S is suitable for measuring emotional and social loneliness, specifically emotional-family loneliness and social loneliness. While the emotional-romantic loneliness dimension showed good model fit indices, qualitative data indicated that the term "romantic partner" caused some difficulties in understanding the statement and responding appropriately. • Both the DJGLS and the SELSA-S show similarities in measuring social loneliness. However, they differ in their assessment of emotional loneliness.