Psychometric properties of Social Rhythm Metric in regular shift employees

Abstract

To analyze the psychometric properties of Brazilian version of Social Rhythm Metric-17 and to present the score algorithm in regular shift employees. 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. 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. 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. The Brazilian version of social rhythm metric 17 presents validity of content and good test-retest reliability.