Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS)

This chapter is a comprehensive reference manual providing information on the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS), which is a self-rating scale, designed to measure structural social support systems (i.e., social contacts). It was originally developed for older people, but has been used with people with acquired brain impairment (ABI), including stroke and traumatic brain injury, as well as caregivers of people with dementia. A brief history of the instrument's development is provided, along with a description of item content and administration/scoring procedures. Psychometric properties are reviewed and a critical commentary is provided. Key references are cited and in most cases the actual scale is included, giving the reader easy access to the instrument.