Psychometric properties of questionnaires for assessing chronotype

Abstract

The valid measurement of chronotype is important since the construct has implications for our biological and psychological functioning. In the current review, we discuss the psychometric properties of the more frequently used chronotype measurements: The Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM), Preferences Scale (PS), Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ), and Morningness-Eveningness-Stability-Scale improved (MESSi). With regard to reliability, the MEQ, CSM, and PS have consistently showed high levels of reliability across different countries, whereas the reliability of the rMEQ has reported to be acceptable. In terms of validity, the MEQ, rMEQ, and CSM are highly correlated, which indicates that these scales share common aspects of chronotype. Though the MCTQ is highly correlated with the MEQ, the correlation becomes weaker as the MCTQ is corrected for sleep debt. Despite MESSi is a newly developed scale to measure circadian typology and amplitude, growing evidence supports MESSi as a reliable and valid instrument across different countries. Given that all of instruments commonly used to measure chronotype demonstrate good psychometric properties, it would be beneficial to consider which facet of chronotype (i.e., physiological or psychological) is the interest of researchers when conducting study concerning chronotype.