Empirical evaluation of a model-driven approach to enlargement of multi-dimensional questionnaires for assessing adaptability of the sleep–wake cycle

The spherical cube model was earlier proposed for explaining interrelationships between scales of multidimensional questionnaires designed for assessing adaptability of the human sleep–wake cycle. The purpose of this report was to use the model’s predictions for identification of new items associated with yet unassessed sub-traits of the sleep–wake adaptability. The 72-item Sleep–Wake Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SWPAQ) and an initial 320-item list created for a new inventory were administered to 139 respondents. Results of correlating the responses to these items with scores on six SWPAQ’ scales were used for classification of items in accord with the nomenclature proposed by the model and for selection of 120 items for the new inventory that allowed the assessment of the majority (more than 24) of the sleep–wake adaptability sub-traits predicted by the model. Some of these newly assessed sub-traits reflect individual variation in the success of biological adaptation to night and shift work.