Sleep-Related Cannabis Expectancy Questionnaire (SR-CEQ): Factor Analysis Replication, Internal Reliability, and Construct Validity.

Expectancies regarding the sleep-promoting effects of cannabis may exacerbate the propensity to self-medicate sleep problems with cannabis. Given the potential clinical importance of expectancies for the sedative effects of cannabis, Goodhines et al (2020) developed the Sleep-Related Cannabis Expectancies Questionnaire (SR-CEQ). However, concurrent validity of this instrument has not been evaluated. This study aimed to replicate the two-factor structure and internal reliability and explore incremental construct validity of the SR-CEQ. Cross-sectional online survey data were collected from 287 college students ( M age  = 19.07 ± 1.44 years, range 18-25; 47% male; 84% non-Hispanic White; 61% lifetime cannabis use). Confirmatory factor analysis replicated an adequate fit of the two-factor model (SRMR = 0.08) with excellent internal consistency within positive (α = .94) and negative (α = .91) subscales. Novel correlates were observed for positive (greater mood, sleep, cannabis risk; r s = .16-.48, p s = .001-.03) and negative (lesser cannabis risk; r s = -.18-.61, p s = .001-.03) subscales. Positive expectancies were greater among students with insomnia ( t [285] = 2.70, p  < .01; d  = .33) and hazardous cannabis use ( t [284] = 6.63, p  < .001; d  = 0.91). No group differences were observed by sex or for negative sleep-related cannabis expectances. This study extends psychometric validation of the SR-CEQ and highlights positive expectancies as a potential risk factor for insomnia and hazardous cannabis use.