0181 Characteristics and Reliability of the Best Slept Self® Questionnaire: A New Measure for Healthy Sleep Behaviors from National Sleep Foundation

Abstract Introduction The Best Slept Self® Questionnaire (BSSQ) is a 10-item self-report measure of healthy sleep behaviors based on National Sleep Foundation’s Best Slept Self® framework. Developed with input from national experts in sleep health, the BSSQ is designed to assess frequency of healthy sleep behaviors, including daytime and nighttime behaviors, in the general population. This study explored general characteristics and reliability of the BSSQ across national samples of adolescents and adults. Methods We analyzed data from three random, nationally representative samples collected through probability-based random sampling, which included data from 2,391 adults collected in 2023 (n = 1,042) and 2024 (n = 1,349), as well as 1,138 adolescents collected in 2023. Each sample completed the 10-item BSSQ along with demographic, sleep health, and other questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and reliability analyses, including Cronbach’s alpha and greatest lower bound (GLB), were conducted. Results Across adult samples, a majority of people reported engaging in most healthy sleep behaviors more days than not (i.e., at least 4 days per week), including regular bedtimes (69.5%), waketimes (80.7%), and mealtimes (59.9%). Similar results were found in adolescents, where the majority reported regular bedtimes (70.8%), waketimes (86.2%), and mealtimes (70.7%) at least 4 days per week. Of all healthy sleep behaviors, however, a majority of adults (57% - 59.5%) and teens (70%) reported never putting away electronic devices an hour before bed. Across adult samples, reliability analyses indicated adequate to optimal reliability estimates (.72 ≤ a ≤ .73, .77 ≤ glb ≤ .83). Similar ranges of reliability estimates were found in the adolescent sample (a = .71, glb = .77). Conclusion Findings provide evidence supporting the reliability of the BSSQ across U.S. adults and adolescents. The typical U.S. adolescent and adult reported engaging in most healthy sleep behaviors on more days than not; however, use of electronic devices before bed remains a very common behavior. This work informs continued exploration of the psychometric and practical applications of the BSSQ as a tool to serve public sleep health. Support (if any) This work was supported by the National Sleep Foundation.