Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2025
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
Psychometric Evaluation of the Polish Language Version of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC)-A Pilot
Małgorzata Jączak-Goździak1, Oliviero Bruni2, Marcin Żarowski1
1Department of Developmental Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland.
Insights
This study found the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) to be a reliable tool for screening sleep disorders in Polish children. The pilot results indicate good internal consistency and potential for effective use in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Psychometrics
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Sleep disorders affect 25-50% of children globally, often leading to behavioral, academic, and metabolic issues.
- Insufficient research exists on pediatric sleep disorders, particularly in diverse populations.
- Early identification of sleep abnormalities is crucial for developmental well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To psychometrically evaluate the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) in a Polish pediatric sample.
- To assess the reliability and validity of the SDSC for screening sleep disorders in children.
- To establish a culturally relevant tool for identifying sleep disturbances in Polish youth.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 42 ten-year-old children from urban and rural Polish primary schools.
- Parents completed the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and a sociodemographic survey.
- Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (α), and domain correlations using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (Rs).
Main Results:
- The SDSC demonstrated very good internal consistency for the overall scale (Cronbach's α = 0.89).
- Individual subscales showed suitable internal consistency, ranging from 0.69 to 0.83.
- Positive correlations were observed between the different domains of the SDSC.
Conclusions:
- The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) shows promise as an effective screening tool for sleep disorders in Polish children.
- The pilot study's findings support the reliability and potential utility of the SDSC in this population.
- Further validation with larger, diverse patient groups is recommended to confirm these preliminary results.
Abstract:
Sleep disorders in children and adolescents are common, affecting approximately 25-50% of children worldwide, yet they remain insufficiently researched. These sleep abnormalities, especially during developmental stages, can lead to various consequences, including emotional and behavioral disorders, academic challenges, mood disorders, and metabolic issues such as obesity. Background/Objectives: The study aimed to psychometrically evaluate a tool for examining sleep disorders in Polish children. Methods: The study involved a randomly selected sample of 42 children, all aged 10, from two primary schools in Poland: one located in a city with over 100,000 inhabitants and the other in a smaller town. Parents were asked to complete the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) along with a sociodemographic survey. The study assessed reliability using Cronbach's alpha (α) and evaluated the correlation between individual domains using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (Rs). Results: The pilot group demonstrated very good internal consistency for the entire SDSC scale, with a Cronbach's α value of 0.89, and suitable values for the individual subscales (ranging from 0.69 to 0.83). Additionally, there was a positive correlation between the individual subscales. Conclusions: While this pilot study requires validation with a larger patient group, the results suggest that the SDSC scale could be an effective tool for screening sleep disorders among Polish children.
