OBJECTIVE
To validate the Scale of Behavioral Factors of Sleep Disturbances is people without diagnosed sleep disorders, as well as to reveal direct and indirect effects of sleep behavior on subjective sleep quality and well-being.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Sample 1 included 66 people, aged 19—55 years, without diagnosed sleep disturbances who completed the Scale of Behavioral Factors of Sleep Disturbances (subscales for Taking Medications and Non-Medications, Alcohol, Tonic Drinks and Using Gadgets in the evening, Delaying Bedtime, Self-Limitations, Sleep Ritual, Adherence to the Regimen, Postponement of the Morning Rise), Insomnia Severity Index, Hospital Scale of Anxiety and Depression. Sample 2 included 174 people, aged 17—57 years, without diagnosed sleep disorders, who completed Beck’s Anxiety and Depression Inventories in addition to the scales administered to sample 1. Forty-four people completed the Scale of Behavioral Factors again after two weeks.
RESULTS
The moderate reliability-consistency (α=0.62—0.93) and retest reliability of the subscales (r=0.33—0.79, p<0.01) as well as the relationship between poor sleep, especially in the evening, self-limitating behavior and sleep-related complaints of sleep, anxiety and, to a lesser extent, complaints of depressive symptoms (r=0.15—0.58, p<0.05) were revealed. All behavioral strategies, except for the sleep ritual, are characterized by an indirect effect on anxiety, depressiveness, poor well-being (|β|=0.03—0.24): the more often a person uses them, the more likely he/she has sleep-related complaints, which, in turn, is a risk factor for poorer well-being. Self-limiting behavior and delaying the morning rise are associated with a lower level of well-being, even in the absence of sleep-related complaints (β=0.23—0.34, p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
The Scale of Behavioral Factors of Sleep Disturbances can be used for research purposes. The results of the study suggest that the dysfunctional role of behavior on well-being is predominantly indirect (through the perpetuation of complaints), but it can also be direct (regardless of complaints of sleep disorders).
