The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences
Volume 72, Issue 1, 2017, Pages 109-119

Translation and Validation of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale Among Older Migrants Living in the Netherlands (Article) (Open Access)

Uysal-Bozkir Ö. , Fokkema T. , MacNeil-Vroomen J.L. , van Tilburg T.G. , de Rooij S.E.
  • a University Center for Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands
  • b University Center for Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands, University Center for Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands
  • c University Center for Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands
  • d University Center for Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands
  • e University Center for Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands, University Center for Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We validate a translated version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) for use among older migrants from Turkish and Moroccan descent and validate the original Dutch version of the same scale for Surinamese migrants in the Netherlands.METHOD: The data were derived from a population-based cross-sectional study among community-dwelling individuals aged 55 and older. In addition to translating the DJGLS for these ethnic groups, several statistical analyses were performed to assess the scale's reliability and validity.RESULTS: The DJGLS proved to be internally consistent and to have adequate convergent validity among all ethnic groups. Latent structure analysis confirmed the two latent factors (emotional and social subscales) in all groups, but also showed that fit was not optimal in most groups. Known groups validity was observed using functional limitations and subjective health as grouping variables.CONCLUSIONS: The results provide sufficient support for use of the translated version of the 11-item DJGLS among Turkish and Moroccan older migrants and use of the Dutch version for Surinamese older migrants as a reliable and valid measure of loneliness. Fit of latent structural models varied between good and poor. Further research is needed to investigate ethnic differences in levels and determinants of loneliness. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected].

Author Keywords

cross-cultural loneliness psychometric properties Older migrants Prevalence

Index Keywords

Netherlands validation study human middle aged aging statistics and numerical data comparative study Aged ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies Surveys and Questionnaires cross-sectional study migrant psychology Cross-Cultural Comparison Suriname Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants female Aged, 80 and over very elderly questionnaire cultural factor Psychometrics psychometry translating (language) Translating Turkey Loneliness Morocco
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85021852396&doi=10.1093%2fgeronb%2fgbv044&partnerID=40&md5=ac41110477d2b6ed58e22ebcc3b7c5c9
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbv044
ISSN: 17585368
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English