Translating and establishing the psychometric properties of the Jenkins Sleep Scale for Arabic-speaking individuals

Abstract

Background The Jenkins Sleep Scale is a widely used self-report questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and disturbances. This study aimed to translate the scale into Arabic and evaluate its psychometric properties in an Arabic-speaking population. Methods The Jenkins Sleep Scale was translated into Arabic using forward and backward translation procedures. The Arabic version was administered to a convenience sample of 420 adults along with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) for validation purposes. Reliability was examined using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was also conducted to test the unidimensional factor structure. Convergent validity was assessed using correlations with PSQI and AIS scores. Results The Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega values for the Arabic Jenkins Sleep Scale were 0.74 and 0.75, respectively, indicating good internal consistency. The 2-week and 4-week test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients were both 0.94 (p < 0.001), indicating excellent test-retest reliability. The CFA results confirmed the unidimensional factor structure (CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.08). The measurement model had an equivalent factor structure, loadings, intercepts, and residuals across sex, age, and marital status. Significant positive correlations were found between the Arabic Jenkins scale score and the PSQI (r = 0.80, p < 0.001) and AIS (r = 0.74, p < 0.001), supporting convergent validity. Conclusion The Arabic version of the Jenkins Sleep Scale demonstrated good psychometric properties. The findings support its use as a valid and reliable measure for evaluating sleep quality and disturbances among Arabic-speaking populations.