Psychology Research and Behavior Management (Jul 2024)
The Limitations of Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to Assess Athletes’ Sleep Quality: Evidence from Reliability and Validity in Chinese Professional Athletes
Abstract
Chenhao Tan,1,2 Jinhao Wang,1,2 Jiaojiao Lu,1,2 Jun Yin,1,2 Yan An,1,2 Jinglong Ye,1,2 Guohuan Cao,1,2 Jun Qiu1,2 1Shanghai Research Institute of Sports Science (Shanghai Anti-Doping Agency), Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Key Laboratory of General Administration of Sport for Exercise Performance Evaluation, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jun Qiu, Email [email protected]: This study aimed to assess the structural validity of the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among Chinese professional athletes and examine its test-retest reliability and convergent validity across different timeframes.Methods: 581 Chinese professional athletes participated. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on the Chinese version of the PSQI. Test-retest reliability was assessed over 2 weeks, 1 week, and 2– 3 days within a 1-month timeframe. Additional reliability analysis over a 2-day interval was conducted within a 1-week timeframe. Convergent validity was assessed using Chinese versions of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ), and actigraphy. A 1-month tracking was conducted, with weekly completion of the PSQI using a one-week timeframe, supplemented by assessments in the second and fourth week using two-week and one-month timeframes. Relationships between weekly results and those over two weeks and one month examined, along with convergent validity, using sleep diary and actigraphy.Results: The PSQI exhibited a two-factor structure (sleep quality and sleep efficiency), with good model fit (CFI = 0.960, AGFI = 0.924, TLI = 0.925, RMSEA = 0.085). Test-retest reliability was satisfactory for intervals of one week or more (r = 0.721 ~ 0.753). Using a one-week timeframe, the total score and two dimensions exhibited good reliability (r = 0.769 ~ 0.881), but only the total score and sleep quality showed high correlations with ISI and ASSQ (r = 0.701 ~ 0.839). Throughout the tracking, monthly responses correlated well with the most recent weeks (r = 0.732 ~ 0.866).Conclusion: The PSQI demonstrates a two-factor structure in Chinese athletes, with sleep quality being predominant. Test-retest reliability within a one-month timeframe is unstable, suggesting a one-week timeframe performs better. Distinguishing between the two dimensions, employing shorter timeframes, and incorporating objective measures are recommended.Keywords: PSQI, athlete, sleep quality, sleep efficiency, timeframe
