Validation of the Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire and the Sleep Self Report for Portuguese children

This study provides validation of the Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and the Sleep Self Report (SSR) for Portuguese children, using community and clinical samples. The community sample included 574 parents, who fulfilled the CSHQ-PT, and 306 children (Age: M = 8.26; SD = 0.92) who answered the SSR-PT. The clinical sample included 60 parents, who filled the CSHQ-PT, and 30 children (Age: M = 8.73; SD = 1.14) who answered the SSR-PT. Concerning the CSHQ-PT, the community sample showed a total mean score of 43.83 (SD = 6.12), an internal consistency of 0.77, a test-retest reliability of 0.80, and the clinical sample showed a total mean score of 53.99 (SD = 10.43), and an internal consistency of 0.86. Comparisons between the community and clinical samples indicate statistical significant differences (z = -7.91, p =.000). A Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve (ROC) indicated a cut-off total score of 44 (sensitivity of 81%; specificity of 64%). Concerning the SSR-PT, the community sample showed a total mean score of 34.93 (SD = 5.71), internal consistency of 0.70, and the test-retest reliability of 0.75, and the clinical sample showed a total mean score of 39.87 (SD = 7.81), and internal consistency of 0.81. Comparisons between samples indicate statistical significant differences (z = -3.34, p = 0.001). Correlations between parents and children were statistically significant in 14 items of the community sample, and in 12 items of the clinical sample (in a total of 16 items). These results demonstrate that both questionnaires have good psychometric properties, and consistently differentiate the community and clinical samples. In accordance, they can be useful in screening sleep disturbances and habits in Portuguese school-aged children.