Psychometric properties of Social Rhythm Metric in regular shift employees

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the psychometric properties of Brazilian version of Social Rhythm Metric-17 and to present the score algorithm in regular shift employees. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. The Social Rhythm Metric assess the regularity of daily life associated to changes in biological rhythms. The scale was applied, during nine days, to 145 employees, 27.6 % male and 72.4% female, ages between 18 and 60, mean = 36.1 (sd = 9.87). Mean values were compared using the Student's t-test for independent samples and ANOVA. Factor analysis was performed using principal component analysis; the reliability analysis, through Spearman's correlation. Results: The Student t test didn't reveal any significant difference between sex in IRA (t = 0.60; p = 0.55) or ETA (t = 0.67; p = 0.95). The factor analysis showed three components, the first was associated to survival related activities; the second, related to pleasure and work and the third was related to no essential survive activities. Discussion: This version of the Social Rhythm Metric-17 instrument allows to assess an important human zeitgeber, contributing for other studies which can to evaluate the determinant role of social rhythm. Conclusion: The Brazilian version of social rhythm metric 17 presents validity of content and good test-retest reliability.