What is the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)?

The PSQI is a self-rated questionnaire designed to assess sleep quality and disturbances over a 1-month time interval. It is widely regarded as the gold standard for evaluating sleep quality.

Who developed the PSQI and when?

Developed by Daniel J. Buysse, Charles F. Reynolds III, Timothy H. Monk, Susan R. Berman, and David J. Kupfer in 1989.

What type of assessment is the PSQI?

It is a self-report questionnaire that evaluates multiple dimensions of sleep quality and sleep disturbances.

What does the PSQI assess?

• Sleep quality and satisfaction
• Sleep latency (time to fall asleep)
• Sleep duration
• Sleep efficiency
• Sleep disturbances
• Use of sleeping medication
• Daytime dysfunction

How many items and what format?

19 self-rated questions and 5 questions rated by bed partner/roommate. Scored on various scales assessing sleep patterns over the past month.

How is the PSQI scored?

Global score ranges from 0-21. Seven component scores are summed to create the global score. Higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality.

Who can use the PSQI?

Adults (18+) in clinical practice, research, and sleep medicine settings.

What are the strengths of the PSQI?

Excellent psychometric properties, comprehensive sleep assessment, widely validated, clinically useful cutoff scores.

What are the limitations of the PSQI?

Relies on self-report, may not capture all sleep disorders, requires recall over past month.