Does the Sleep Regularity Questionnaire capture objective sleep–wake regularity? Evidence from wearable and sleep diary data

Abstract Sleep regularity is an important but under-measured dimension of sleep health. Objective indices from actigraphy or wearables are robust but resource-intensive. The Sleep Regularity Questionnaire (SRQ) offers a brief subjective tool, but its validity against objective and diary-based indices in healthy adults is unclear. In Part 1, 31 adults wore a smart ring continuously for 21 nights. Device-derived regularity metrics included the Sleep Regularity Index (SRI), interdaily stability (IS), social jetlag (SJL), composite phase deviation (CPD), and the standard deviation of sleep onset and wake time. In Part 2, 52 adults completed a one-week sleep diary, from which variability in sleep timing, total sleep time (TST), SJL and nightly perceived sleep quality were derived. All participants completed the SRQ and Brief Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (B-PSQI). In Part 1, associations between SRQ scores and device-derived SRI, IS, SJL, CPD and timing variability were small (absolute r ≤ 0.36). Higher SRQ Global and Sleep Continuity scores were moderately associated with better B-PSQI global scores (r −0.37 to −0.44). In Part 2, SRQ Global and Circadian Regularity showed small-to-moderate associations with higher diary-rated sleep quality and lower bedtime variability (r ≈ 0.40 and −0.32 to −0.34), while correlations with other diary metrics and B-PSQI were weak (absolute r ≤ 0.25). The SRQ shows modest convergent validity with diary-based timing variability and perceived sleep quality, but only weak correspondence with smart ring-based sleep regularity indices. It is likely to complement, rather than replace, objective monitoring in healthy adults with relatively regular sleep–wake patterns.