The reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire: Psychometric properties and related factors in a young Swedish population

Figures & data

Table 1. Factor loadings of the rMEQ in an exploratory factor analysis with maximum likelihood extraction and direct oblimin rotation.

	Mean (SD)	Factor loadings
1. Considering only your own diurnal rhythm, at what time would you get up if you were entirely free to plan your day?	2.8 (0.9)	0.57
2. After the first half hour after having woken in the morning, how tired do you feel?	2.1 (0.8)	0.36
3. At what time in the evening do you feel tired and as a result in need of sleep?	3.2 (1.0)	0.50
4. At what time of the day do you think that you reach your “feeling best” peak?	3.0 (0.8)	0.56
5. One hears about morning and evening types of people. Which one of these types do you consider yourself to be?	2.2 (1.7)	0.82

SD = standard deviation.

Table 2. Descriptive statistics across subgroups.

		n (%)	rMEQ: total [M (SD)]	F
Age (years)	16–19	186 (27.8)	12.5 (3.5)	9.35**
	20–26	483 (72.2)	13.4 (3.6)
Sex	Female	370 (55.4)	13.7 (3.5)	15.83**
	Male	299 (44.6)	12.6 (3.6)
Occupational status	Educational activity or work	629 (94.4)	13.3 (3.5)	8.98**
	No educational activity or work	37 (5.6)	11.5 (4.5)
Alcohol use	Less than 2 times per week	589 (87.9)	13.2 (3.5)	1.10
	2 times or more per week	81 (12.1)	12.8 (3.8)
Nicotine use	No	527 (78.5)	13.5 (3.5)	11.71**
	Yes	137 (20.5)	11.9 (3.4)
Drug use	No	635 (94.6)	13.2 (3.6)	3.17
	Yes	34 (5.4)	12.1 (3.1)

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Table 3. Correlations between rMEQ scores and questions assessing sleep onset, sleep duration, and rising in the morning.

	rMEQ: total	rMEQ: item 1	rMEQ: item 2	rMEQ: item 3	rMEQ: item 4	rMEQ: item 5
Sleep onset timing	−0.56**	−0.34**	−0.15**	−0.51**	−0.40**	−0.46**
Frequency of falling asleep at 1:00 a.m. or later	−0.51**	−0.34**	−0.14**	−0.45**	−0.36**	−0.41**
Sleep duration	−0.08*	0.07	−0.17**	−0.04	−0.03	−0.08*
Frequency of being late to school/work because of difficulties waking up in the morning	−0.33**	−0.21**	−0.28**	−0.09*	−0.18**	−0.32**
Difficulties falling asleep earlier if needed	−0.36**	−0.19**	−0.31**	−0.16**	−0.23**	−0.31**
Difficulties rising at 09:00 a.m.	−0.50**	−0.43**	−0.32**	−0.28**	−0.28**	−0.39**

*p < 0.05. **p < 0.01.

Table 4. Correlations between rMEQ scores and sleep difficulties, daytime sleepiness, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

	rMEQ: total	rMEQ: item 1	rMEQ: item 2	rMEQ: item 3	rMEQ: item 4	rMEQ: item 5
ISI	−0.30**	−0.18**	−0.41**	−0.07	−0.20**	−0.21**
ESS	−0.06	−0.05	−0.20**	0.06	−0.08	−0.01
HADS – Anxiety	−0.05	−0.01	−0.28**	0.10*	−0.02	−0.03
HADS – Depression	−0.25**	−0.14**	−0.31**	−0.06	−0.16**	−0.19**

ESS = Epworth Sleepiness Scale, HADS = Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, ISI = Insomnia Severity Index. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01.