Psychometric properties and validation of the Hungarian version of the sleep hygiene index among healthcare professionals

Introduction This study aims to culturally adapt and validate the Hungarian version of the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI-H) among healthcare professionals and evaluate associated demographic, occupational, and psychological factors. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Hungarian nurses and physicians ( n = 470). Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, test–retest reliability ( n = 21), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Sleep hygiene was evaluated against age, gender, and work schedule. Psychological profiling utilized the Hungarian version of reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ-H), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS-H), Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14-H), and Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15-H), analyzed via multivariable General Linear Modeling (GLM) and bootstrap mediation analyses. Results The SHI-H demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.727) and excellent temporal stability (ICC = 0.85). Construct validity was supported by a preliminary five-factor structure (CFI = 0.928, TLI = 0.900, RMSEA = 0.053, 90% CI: 0.041–0.065), reflecting multidimensional sleep behaviors. The GLM explained 34.9% of the total variance in SHI-H scores ( p < 0.001). Chronotype (rMEQ-H) emerged as the strongest independent predictor (ηp 2 = 0.090, p < 0.001), with morningness linked to superior sleep hygiene. Shift workers reported significantly poorer sleep hygiene ( p < 0.001) and greater insomnia severity ( p = 0.016) than day workers. Furthermore, bootstrap mediation analyses revealed a significant indirect statistical association, indicating that the relationship between morningness–eveningness orientation (rMEQ-H) and insomnia severity (AIS-H) was accounted for by sleep hygiene behaviors (SHI-H) within this cross-sectional model. Discussion The SHI-H is a reliable, psychometrically sound instrument for healthcare populations. Sleep-related behaviors are heavily influenced by chronotype and shiftwork demands, showing significant indirect associations with insomnia symptoms.