Addressing youth loneliness: Development and validation of the youth loneliness scale

Abstract Background Loneliness has emerged as a significant public health issue, recognized as a priority by the UK government. Particularly prevalent among young people, approximately 50% of individuals aged 10-24 report experiencing loneliness “often” or “some of the time.” This persistent sense of isolation is associated with a range of negative outcomes, including poor mental and physical health, lower educational achievement, and diminished employment prospects. Despite its widespread impact, current measures are inadequate in capturing the authentic, nuanced experiences of loneliness among young people, limiting both our understanding of the issue and the development of effective preventative measures and interventions. Methods The Youth Loneliness Scale (YLS) project is dedicated to creating and validating a comprehensive tool to measure loneliness specifically in young people aged 10-24. This project is distinguished by its co-production model, which ensures young people are involved in every stage of development, from design to dissemination. The YLS uses a gold-standard multi-step process for scale development, which combines qualitative and quantitative methods and integrates the perspectives of both young people and academic researchers. Results We have developed the initial scale from qualitative research with young people and a Delphi study by youth and academic experts. Currently, we are conducting a psychometric evaluation of the scale with large youth samples to ensure its reliability and validity. Conclusions In this presentation we will share our findings and highlight the scale's potential to advance research, enhance population estimates of youth loneliness, identify individuals in need of support, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. We invite stakeholders, researchers, and practitioners to join us in exploring how the YLS can play a pivotal role in addressing youth loneliness and improving public health outcomes. Key messages • We have co-produced the Youth Loneliness Scale, a new developmentally sensitive measure of loneliness in young people. • We present findings from the Youth Loneliness Scale project, focusing on the scale’s potential to address loneliness as a public health issue.