Beyond a Global Score: Psychometric Reappraisal of the Arabic Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Revealing a Multidimensional Structure in Undergraduate Students.

Background and Purpose: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a widely used tool for assessing sleep quality but shows structural limitations in cross-cultural applications. This study examines the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Arabic PSQI (A-PSQI) among Jordanian undergraduate students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 735 students employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the factor structure. Construct, criterion, and known-groups validity were evaluated, with sensitivity and regression analyses testing model robustness. Results: EFA identified a two-factor structure (perceived sleep disturbance and impact, sleep timing), validated by CFA. The model exhibited strong convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity, with gender-based differences supporting known-groups validity. Conclusion: The A-PSQI’s two-factor structure offers enhanced theoretical and clinical utility for Arabic-speaking students, surpassing the original unidimensional model.