Factor Analysis and Validation of Sleep Health Scale in Nursing Context

Sleep health can be defined as a multidimensional pattern of sleep-awakening that is consistent with individual, social, and environmental needs and its absence endangers physical and mental wellbeing. The objective of the present study was to validate the Sleep Health Scale (SHS).

The population for this study consisted of all nurses in Arak Province, Iran, including 130 participants who were selected using the available sampling method (simple sampling). Data collection was based on the SHS by Buysse, which resulted in 120 completed questionnaires. SPSS software was used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), reliability, and correlation between questions, and AMOS was used for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). This scale was translated from English to Persian and then was back-translated from Persian to English. The questionnaire was examined in terms of cultural sensitivities, clarity of questions, conflicts, and errors in meaningfulness by a panel of experts.

Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.89; hence, the questionnaire was reliable. Factor loadings’ examination using EFA and CFA showed 0.77 and 0.80 for the questions and this confirmed an acceptable construct validity. All items showed acceptable correlation (0.82 to 0.84). The results of test-retest reliability showed stability over time (r = 0.83) for sleep health assessment.

The Persian version of the questionnaire has acceptable validity and reliability and can be used for sleep health assessment, along with other questionnaires.