PSQI
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a 17-item sleep assessment for adults. It typically takes about 8 minutes to complete, where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
17
8 min
adult
v1.0
About the PSQI
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a 17-item sleep assessment for adults. It typically takes about 8 minutes to complete, where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
First published in 1989 by Buysse DJ, Reynolds CF, Monk TH, Berman SR, Kupfer DJ, the PSQI is free to use for clinical and research purposes with attribution. With Psyche Assess you can send the PSQI to clients online, score it automatically, and generate a clinician-ready report in seconds.
What it measures
PSQI questions
- 1
During the past month, how long has it usually taken you to fall asleep each night?
≤ 15 minutes · 16 – 30 minutes · 31 – 60 minutes · > 60 minutes - 2
During the past month, on average, how many hours were you in bed each night (lights-off to wake-up)?
> 8 hours · 7 – 8 hours · 6 – 7 hours · < 6 hours - 3
During the past month, how many hours of actual sleep did you get at night?
> 7 hours · 6 – 7 hours · 5 – 6 hours · < 5 hours - 4
During the past month, how often have you had trouble sleeping because you cannot get to sleep within 30 minutes?
sleep_latencyNot during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 5
…wake up in the middle of the night or early morning?
sleep_disturbanceNot during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 6
…have to get up to use the bathroom?
sleep_disturbanceNot during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 7
…cannot breathe comfortably?
sleep_disturbanceNot during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 8
…cough or snore loudly?
sleep_disturbanceNot during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 9
…feel too cold?
sleep_disturbanceNot during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 10
…feel too hot?
sleep_disturbanceNot during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 11
…had bad dreams?
sleep_disturbanceNot during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 12
…had pain?
sleep_disturbanceNot during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 13
…other reason(s) — please describe in a clinical interview.
sleep_disturbanceNot during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 14
During the past month, how often have you taken medicine (prescribed or over the counter) to help you sleep?
Not during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 15
During the past month, how often have you had trouble staying awake while driving, eating meals, or engaging in social activity?
Not during the past month · Less than once a week · Once or twice a week · Three or more times a week - 16
During the past month, how much of a problem has it been for you to keep up enthusiasm to get things done?
No problem at all · Only a very slight problem · Somewhat of a problem · A very big problem - 17
During the past month, how would you rate your sleep quality overall?
Very good · Fairly good · Fairly bad · Very bad
Items reproduced from a documented, freely usable source. Item wording is preserved exactly as published.
Scoring & interpretation
| Range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5 | Good sleep quality | Global PSQI ≤5 — no clinically significant sleep complaint. |
| 6–21 | Poor sleep quality | Global PSQI >5 — clinically significant sleep difficulty; consider further assessment / sleep-hygiene or insomnia intervention. |
Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
sleep_quality subscale
| Range | Band |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Component score |
sleep_latency subscale
| Range | Band |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Component score |
sleep_duration subscale
| Range | Band |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Component score |
sleep_efficiency subscale
| Range | Band |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Component score |
sleep_disturbance subscale
| Range | Band |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Component score |
sleep_medication subscale
| Range | Band |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Component score |
daytime_dysfunction subscale
| Range | Band |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Component score |
Frequently asked questions
How many items does the PSQI have?
The PSQI has 17 items and takes about 8 minutes to complete.
How is the PSQI scored?
The PSQI uses a structured scoring procedure where higher scores indicate greater severity.
Is the PSQI free to use?
The PSQI is free to use for clinical and research purposes provided the authors are credited and the item wording is not altered.
Who is the PSQI for?
The PSQI is designed for adult and is used by clinicians, researchers, and integrated-care teams.
Source & references
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