Validating the Adolescent Sleep Wake Scale for use with young adults

Area of Science:

• Sleep Science
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Subjective sleep quality is crucial across adolescence to young adulthood (AYA).
• The Adolescent Sleep Wake Scale (ASWS) is validated for adolescents (12-18 years).
• Its utility for young adults (19-25 years) requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the ASWS for assessing sleep quality in young adults (19-25 years).
• To determine if the ASWS can be used across the entire AYA developmental period (12-25 years).

Main Methods:

• A national sample (N=332) of young adults (ages 19-25) completed an online survey.
• Participants completed the ASWS, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).
• Bivariate correlational analyses examined convergent and discriminant validity.

Main Results:

• The ASWS total score strongly correlated with PSQI (r=-0.68) and ISI (r=-0.71) total scores.
• ASWS domains showed correlations with corresponding PSQI subscales (Sleep Latency, Sleep Disturbance, Daytime Dysfunction).
• Good internal consistency (α=0.88) was observed for the ASWS.

Conclusions:

• The ASWS demonstrates validity for assessing sleep problems in young adults.
• Findings support the use of the ASWS across the adolescence to young adulthood (AYA) period.
• The ASWS aligns with established adult sleep assessment measures.