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Disordered sleep and its association with academic performance and functioning
S R Gilstrap1, J M Hobson1, H E Dark1
1Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA.
Sleep and Biological Rhythms
|March 12, 2024
Summary
College students with sleep disorders miss more classes and have worse academic functioning. Early assessment and treatment of sleep issues are crucial for academic success.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Higher Education Research
- Academic Psychology
Background:
- Sleep disorders are common in college students, impacting academic performance.
- Limited research has used clinical interviews to diagnose sleep disorders in students.
- Academic functioning, such as class attendance, is often overlooked.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of sleep disorders in college students.
- To examine the association between sleep disorders and academic performance and functioning.
- To determine if clinical interviews improve sleep disorder assessment in this population.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 277 college students for sleep questionnaires and a two-week sleep diary.
- Conducted semi-structured clinical interviews for students at risk of sleep disorders.
- Assessed academic performance (GPA) and functioning (class attendance, falling asleep in class).
Main Results:
- 38.6% of students were at risk for sleep disorders; 24.8% met diagnostic criteria.
- Students at risk or with sleep disorders missed more classes due to oversleeping and illness.
- Students with sleep disorders also reported falling asleep in class more often.
- No significant differences in GPA were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Sleep disorder symptoms and diagnoses are linked to poorer academic functioning, not necessarily performance (GPA).
- Clinical interviews provide a more comprehensive assessment of sleep disorders.
- Early intervention for sleep disorders may improve college students' academic functioning.
Keywords:
Academic functioningAcademic performanceDelayed sleep–wake phase disorderInsomniaInsufficient sleepSleep disordersMore Related Videos
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