Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index PSQI

About the PSQI

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was developed by Dr. Buysse and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh in 1989. It consists of 19 self-rated questions and 5 questions rated by a bed partner or roommate, with only the first 18 self-rated items used for scoring.

Reliability and Validity

The PSQI has demonstrated excellent psychometric properties. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranges from 0.80-0.85, split-half reliability from 0.82-0.87, and test-retest reliability from 0.81-0.99, with sensitivity of 0.98 and specificity of 0.90.

Applicable Populations

The PSQI is suitable for evaluating sleep quality in patients with sleep disorders, psychiatric patients, and for research in general populations. It is widely used in both clinical and research settings worldwide.

Seven Components Measured

Subjective Sleep Quality - Overall perception of sleep quality
Sleep Latency - Time taken to fall asleep
Sleep Duration - Actual hours of sleep
Sleep Efficiency - Ratio of sleep time to time in bed
Sleep Disturbances - Factors affecting sleep
Use of Sleep Medication - Frequency of sleep aid use
Daytime Dysfunction - Daytime sleepiness and lack of enthusiasm

Scoring

Each component is scored from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality. The total score ranges from 0 to 21.

Interpretation

Total scores are interpreted as follows:

0-5: Good sleep quality
6-10: Fairly good sleep quality
11-15: Moderate sleep difficulties
16-21: Poor sleep quality

Tips for Accurate Assessment

Answer based on your sleep patterns over the past month
Consider both weekdays and weekends
Be honest about medication use
Think about your daytime functioning, not just nighttime sleep

This test is for self-assessment purposes only and does not constitute a medical diagnosis. If you have persistent sleep problems, please consult a healthcare professional.

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References

Buysse, D. J., Reynolds, C. F., Monk, T. H., Berman, S. R., & Kupfer, D. J. (1989). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: a new instrument for psychiatric practice and research.Psychiatry Research, 28(2), 193-213. 10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4
Backhaus, J., Junghanns, K., Broocks, A., Riemann, D., & Hohagen, F. (2002). Test-retest reliability and validity of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in primary insomnia.Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 53(3), 737-740.

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

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