The novel SE4SH questionnaire demonstrated that reduced sleep self-efficacy correlated with poorer subjective sleep quality (SDI r=-0.31) and daytime function (SRI r=-0.29).
Cohort (n=3,453)
The novel SE4SH questionnaire reliably captures self-efficacy regarding sleep outcomes and correlates with established subjective and objective sleep metrics.
Effect estimate: r=-0.31 (SDI), r=-0.29 (SRI)
Abstract Introduction Subjective assessments of sleep behaviors provide meaningful insight into an individual's sleep experiences and may augment objective metrics. We developed a novel, 24-item tool for assessing self-efficacy in influencing sleep related behaviors and outcomes, called the Sleep Efficacy for Sleep Health (SE4SH). This questionnaire considers self-perceived abilities to control caffeine/alcohol intake, timing of exercise, cope with unwanted wakefulness, and other factors. The SE4SH was deployed as part of a study on free-living sleep in a cohort of wearable users. Methods Users of Fitbit wearables participated in a 4-week assessment of sleep under normal free-living conditions in early 2025. At the onset of the trial, users completed the SE4SH questionnaire along with the PROMIS sleep disturbance (SDI) and sleep-related impairment (SRI) questionnaires. Basic demographic and wearable-reported sleep parameters were recorded over the study duration. Results A total of 3,453 users completed the surveys (F=2468/M=981/Other=3, Age=50.3±13.7 yrs, BMI=28.8±6.2). The average raw SE4SH score was 75.9 (on a 24-120 scale). Men reported significantly higher scores than women (78.3 vs 74.9, p 0.05, Cohen’s d=0.2). The mean PROMIS T-scores for SDI (mean=51.6) and SRI (mean=52.3) indicate a population with mild sleep concerns compared to the expected population average (mean of 50). Lower SE4SH scores correlated negatively with both SDI (r=-0.31) and SRI (r=-0.29), demonstrating that reduced self-efficacy is consistently associated with poorer subjective sleep quality and daytime function. Age had a mild positive association with SE4SH (r=0.05), while a higher bed time variability showed a negative correlation (r=-0.13). Conclusion The SE4SH is a promising survey that reliably captures a person’s beliefs about controlling their sleep outcomes. The observed associations with established subjective metrics (SDI and SRI) and objective markers (main sleep duration and bed-time variability) are consistent with the hypothesis that reduced self-efficacy leads to poorer sleep outcomes. Support (if any) This research was supported by Google.
Schneider et al. (Fri,) conducted a cohort in Sleep health (n=3,453). Sleep Efficacy for Sleep Health (SE4SH) questionnaire was evaluated on Correlation of SE4SH scores with PROMIS sleep disturbance (SDI) and sleep-related impairment (SRI) (r=-0.31 (SDI), r=-0.29 (SRI)). The novel SE4SH questionnaire demonstrated that reduced sleep self-efficacy correlated with poorer subjective sleep quality (SDI r=-0.31) and daytime function (SRI r=-0.29).