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Sleep Quality and Duration Best Predict Quality of Life in College Students

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Abstract

Purpose

Sleep is a vital part of everyday life which provides energy for activities of daily living. However, sleep is often sacrificed, particularly during the college years, due to a variety of reasons such as: academic demands, financial concerns, and family stress. The present study investigated the relationship between sufficient sleep and perceived wellness in a college student sample.

Methods

Participants consisted of 140 undergraduate students (88 females; M = 20.71 years, SD 3.27 years), and they were asked to complete an electronic survey package (demographics, sleep quality, and wellness perceptions) administered on the lab computer. Bivariate Pearson correlations and a linear regression analysis were conducted to explore the relationship between sleep and wellness.

Results

Sleep quality was correlated with greater perceived psychological and emotional wellness. Greater sleep duration reflected better social and overall perceived wellness. Individuals who endorsed better overall sleep reported greater perceived physical wellness. The regression analysis revealed that sleep quality and duration were the only significant predictors of wellness perceptions.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that college students who experience insufficient sleep are at a greater risk for decreased quality of life. It is critical that college counselors and administrators educate students on the importance of sleep hygiene and provide interventions to combat problems threatening college student well-being.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Pat Summitt Clinic Cognitive Neurophysiology Lab, Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, 1932 Alcoa Hwy, Bldg C, Suite 150, Knoxville, TN, 37920, USA

    Michael D. Oliver

  2. Department of Psychology, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA

    Debora R. Baldwin, Olivia M. Maples, Fadi E. Hakeem & Subimal Datta

  3. Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN, 37920, USA

    Subimal Datta

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  1. Michael D. Oliver
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  5. Subimal Datta
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Correspondence to Michael D. Oliver.

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Oliver, M.D., Baldwin, D.R., Maples, O.M. et al. Sleep Quality and Duration Best Predict Quality of Life in College Students. Sleep Vigilance 2, 173–179 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41782-018-0053-x

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