Background: Sleep is one of the building blocks of health, affecting our quality of life at every stage of life. Adolescents are particularly sensitive when it comes to sleep because adolescence is a period of growth and development. Healthy sleep is thus extremely important for adolescents to grow and develop optimally and function well. At the same time, adolescence is a crucial period for establishing sleep patterns that will persist into adulthood. Sleep significantly impacts basic physiological processes, cognitive functions, behaviour, and emotions in adolescents. On average, adolescents do not get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can have significant negative short- and long-term effects on adolescent health. Sleep deprivation has a significant impact on adolescent health and is a serious challenge to public health that requires appropriate attention during this stage of life. In order to improve sleep behaviour among adolescents, it is neccessary to investigate sleep behaviour and psychosocial determinants that inlfuence the formation of sleep behaviour and promotion of healthy sleep. For research purposes, we require a translated and validated questionnaire. The results can then be used to develop cross-sectoral interventions that take into account the perspectives of adolescents, parents and teachers. Aim: The aim of this master's thesis is to translate, culturally adapt, and validate two questionnaires: the Paediatric Sleep Practices Questionnaire – PSPQ, and the Psychosocial Determinants of Sleep Behaviour and Healthy Sleep – PSD. The aim is to use the Slovenian questionnaire to investigate the sleep behaviour and psychosocial determinants of sleep behaviour and healthy sleep among eight-graders in Celje. Methods: Translation and cultural adaptation of the questionnaire on sleep behaviour of the paediatric population and the questionnaire on psychosocial determinants affecting sleep behaviour and healthy sleep; content validation of both questionnaires; and conducting a cross-sectional epidemiological study among eight-graders in the Municipality of Celje in February of 2024. Results: We obtained two Slovenian questionnaires that are both substantively valid and reliable: a questionnaire on sleep behaviours in the paediatric population (PSPQ-SI), and a questionnaire on the psychosocial determinants of sleep behaviours and healthy sleep in adolescents (PSD-SI). These questionnaires showed that eight-graders in Celje are not getting enough sleep and have inconsistent sleep schedules. Discussion and conclusion: To improve sleep health and behaviours, and consequently the health and well-being of adolescents, we need successful public health interventions that continuously address adolescents, parents, and teachers.
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