Adaptation of Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) in Bengali Language

Area of Science:

• Chronobiology
• Psychometrics
• Linguistic Adaptation

Background:

• The Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) assesses individual work efficiency based on circadian rhythms.
• Current MEQ use in India is limited to English-speaking populations, hindering broader application.
• Regional language adaptation is crucial for accurate assessment in diverse linguistic settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and validate the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) into the Bengali language.
• To enable wider use of MEQ for assessing circadian types in the Bengali-speaking population of India.

Main Methods:

• Forward-backward translation by six Bengali language experts.
• Content validation by thirty native Bengali speakers using a 5-point familiarity scale.
• Iterative refinement and revalidation of questions based on expert and speaker feedback.

Main Results:

• The Bengali MEQ demonstrated good reliability with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.74.
• Item analysis confirmed the scale's consistency for estimating circadian types.
• Participants were categorized into five circadian types, with 'intermediate' and 'morningness' being most prevalent.

Conclusions:

• The validated Bengali MEQ is a reliable tool for assessing circadian types in Bengali speakers.
• This adaptation facilitates broader research and clinical application of MEQ in India.
• The MEQ's application may assist in the management of conditions such as tinnitus.