Validation of a revised nighttime fears scale-parent version (NFS-P) of children aged 3-8 Years in China

The Nighttime Fears Scale-Parent Version (NFS-P) was developed to assess nighttime fears of children. This study aimed to develop a Chinese version of the NFS-P, examine its psychometric properties and analyze demographic differences. Before the following surveys, we developed a draft of the Chinese version, intending to translate the questions into Chinese language that is culturally appropriate. The scale was completed by the parents of 579 children (ages 3-8, M_age = 5.58 years, SD = 1.46; 50.8% boys). The psychometric properties of the instrument were examined. The Preschool Anxiety Scale, Children's Sense of Security Scale, and Children's Sleep Quality Scale were used as the concurrent validity. The scale consists of 21 items and demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.922). Confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-factor structure of the NFS-P. Research has found that children's nighttime fears were significantly positively correlated with anxiety, and significantly negatively correlated with sense of security and sleep quality. Supplementary analysis with a number of demographic variables provided rich information about nighttime fear. These findings support the use of the Chinese NFS-P as a valuable tool for evaluating nighttime fears in children aged 3-8 years in China, and highlight the importance of considering factors such as age, gender, number of children, and urban-rural background when assessing and intervening in children's nighttime fears in clinical and educational settings.