Translation and validation of the De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale among older migrants living in the Netherlands

Ö Uysal-Bozkir, T. Fokkema, J.L. MacNeil-Vroomen, T.G. van Tilburg, S.E. de Rooij

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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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)109-119
Number of pages11
JournalThe Journals of Gerontology. Series B : Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Volume72
Issue number1
Early online date6 Aug 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2017

Funding

The SYMBOL study was financed by the Health Insurance Innovation Foundation. We thank all the research assistants, the general practitioners, and older people who took part in this study. We also thank Dr. P. Jellema, Department of Midwifery Science, EMGO+ Institute, VU University Medical Center for her help conducting the analyses and Prof. Dr. B. A. Schmand, Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center, and Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science, program group Brain and Cognition, University of Amsterdam for his critical appraisal of earlier versions, especially regarding methodological aspects of the manuscript. Part of the current information was presented at the Geriatriedagen, February 2012 in \u2018s Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands (abstract number: P23). \u00D6. Uysal-Bozkir planned the study, supervised the data analysis, and wrote the paper. T. Fokkema performed some statistical analyses and Tineke Fokkema's research is part of the 'Families in Context' project, funded by an Advanced Investigator Grant of the European Research Council (ERC, 324211). Tineke Fokkema\u2019s research is part of the \u2018Families in Context\u2019 project, funded by an Advanced Investigator Grant of the European Research Council (ERC, 324211).

FundersFunder number
Health Insurance Innovation Foundation
European Commission
European Research Council324211

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