The Impact of Sleep and Mental Health on Working Memory and Academic Performance: A Longitudinal Study

The Prevalence and Predictors of Sleep Disorders and Their Impact on Academic Performance Among Saudi University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

University students encounter a variety of sleep problems that have an impact on their health and academic performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sleep disorders and their impact on academic performance among Saudi university students.

METHODS

This is an online cross-sectional study that involved university students and was conducted between November 2022 and February 2023 in Saudi Arabia. Sleep disorders were examined among undergraduate students through online screening surveys including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to assess excessive daytime sleepiness, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) to measure insomnia, and the Berlin questionnaire to examine obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Restless leg syndrome (RLS) was measured using the RLS rating. SPSS version 29.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for all statistical analyses. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of having excessive daytime sleepiness, insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, and RLS.

RESULTS

The sample included 449 participants. According to the ESS, 56.6% (n=254) of students reported excessive daytime sleepiness. Using the ISI, 78.4% (n=352) of students were found to have insomnia. The Berlin questionnaire indicated that 6.7% (n=30) of students had sleep-disordered breathing. Additionally, 13.6% (n=61) of students reported having RLS. Male students had higher odds of sleep-disordered breathing compared to females (p<0.01), while marital status showed that married students had higher odds of sleep-disordered breathing (p<0.05). Students who reported nighttime sleeping had lower odds of insomnia and restless leg syndrome (p<0.05). Having regular sleeping times was associated with higher odds of insomnia (p<0.05). Napping sometimes was associated with higher odds of excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep-disordered breathing (p<0.05). Students working day and night shifts had higher odds of sleep-disordered breathing (p<0.01). Interestingly, students with comorbidities had lower odds of RLS (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study established that sleep disturbances among students significantly reduce grade point averages (GPAs), where the most affected were male students and those who were married. The government should implement sleep education programs, provide resources for the management of sleep, encourage consistent sleep schedules, and come up with targeted interventions for at-risk groups. More research is also recommended on effective sleep interventions.

The Interplay of Sleep Quality, Mental Health, and Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors among Italian College Freshmen

Background/Objectives: Sleep and mental health are closely linked, with sleep deprivation increasing the risk of mental health problems in college students. This study aimed to analyze the role of sleep in the mental health status of a sample of Italian freshmen, considering various mental health outcomes and potential interactions between sleep and other relevant factors, such as sociodemographic characteristics, academic experiences, and mental health history. Methods: All freshmen from a medium-sized Italian university were invited to participate in a multidimensional online survey (n = 3756). Sleep quality was assessed through questions on average hours of sleep per night and on satisfaction of perceived sleep quality. Mental health outcomes included psychophysical well-being, psychological distress, substance use, and problematic internet use. Statistical analysis involved multivariate analysis of variance, followed by pairwise comparisons. Results: The sample (n = 721) exhibited low levels of well-being and a high prevalence of psychological distress (52.1%). Approximately one-third of students (n = 258) were dissatisfied with their sleep quality, and one-fourth (n = 186) reported inadequate sleep (less than 7 h per night). More specifically, 24.4% of students slept on average six hours per night, and 1.4% slept five hours or less. Satisfaction with perceived sleep quality significantly influenced well-being, psychological distress, and cannabis use (ηp2 = 0.02). Interaction effects were observed between satisfaction with sleep quality and drop-out intentions (ηp2 = 0.01), as well as between satisfaction with sleep quality and history of mental health diagnosis (ηp2 = 0.02), both of which were significant for psychological distress and cannabis use. Conclusions: This study highlights the influence of perceived sleep quality on academic distress among college freshmen, particularly those with higher intentions of leaving university and with a history of mental health diagnosis.

Research on the impact of the socio-educational environment on the academic performance of college students: the mediating role of study motivation

Background

Enhancing the academic performance (AP) of college students can contribute to the overall scientific literacy among this population, thereby fostering societal progress.

Objective

The study investigates the correlation between college students' AP and the socio-educational environment (SEE, including family, roommates, and teachers), study motivation (SM, including self-efficacy and study behaviors). Based on the research findings, recommendations are offered to students, educators, and school administrators.

Settings

Utilizing a stratified sampling approach, data was collected by selecting a sample of 330 first-year computer science students from a specific local university in Hebei Province, China.

Methods

Data will be collected through a hierarchical sampling method. Using correlation analysis, difference analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) as data analysis methods. The data passed reliability and validity analysis (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.88, KMO = 0.88, χ2/df = 1.49RMSEA = 0.04).

Results

The independent sample T-test results showed that female students had higher academic performance than male students (p < 0.001), and there was no significant difference in academic performance between students from single parent or orphan families and students from normal families (p = 0.14), from non urban areas and from urban areas (p = 0.67). The results of the mediating effect analysis indicate that SM exerts complete mediation in the association between SEE and AP, with a mediating effect value of 0.18.

Conclusion

The educational disparity between urban and rural areas in China is gradually narrowing. Support policies for students from impoverished families in higher education institutions are showing initial effectiveness. The conducive learning environment and educational atmosphere for students can indirectly influence their psychological state, thus impacting their academic performance during their university years.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sleep quality of students: A meta-analysis and meta-regression

OBJECTIVE

The present systematic review aims to assess the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the sleep quality of students.

METHODS

An electronic search was performed in the databases and in gray literature for articles published up to January 2022. The results included observational studies that assessed sleep quality through validated questionnaires, comparing moments pre and postCOVID19 pandemic. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Assessment Checklist. The Grading of Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the certainty of scientific evidence. Estimates of interest were calculated using random effects meta-analyses and possible confounding factors were meta-regressed.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies were considered for qualitative synthesis and thirteen were considered for meta-analysis. Considering the comparison of means obtained by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, there was an increase in the scores obtained during the pandemic period [MD = -0.39; 95% CI = -0.72 - -0.07; I2 = 88.31%], thus evidencing a slight worsening in the sleep quality of these individuals. Risk of bias was considered low in nine studies, moderate in eight studies, and high in one study. The unemployment rate (%) in the country of origin of each included study partially explained the heterogeneity of analysis. GRADE analysis showed a very low certainty of scientific evidence.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic may have a slight negative impact on the sleep quality of high school and college students, but the evidence is still uncertain. The socioeconomic reality must be considered when evaluating this outcome.