Longitudinal effects of technostress on bedtime procrastination and sleep quality among university students

Increasing reliance on digital technologies in higher education has raised concerns about technostress and its potential effects on students' health behaviors. This study examined the longitudinal associations between technostress, bedtime procrastination, and sleep quality among university students over one academic semester. A two-wave survey was conducted among students from public and private universities in Islamabad, Pakistan. Data were collected at the beginning of the semester (March 2024) and again before final examinations (June 2024). A total of 929 students completed both survey waves. A cross-lagged panel model was used to examine prospective relationships among technostress, bedtime procrastination, and sleep quality. For interpretational clarity, PSQI scores were recoded so that higher values indicated better sleep quality. Technostress at Time 1 significantly predicted bedtime procrastination at Time 2 (β = 0.348, p < 0.001) and sleep quality at Time 2 (β = -0.363, p < 0.001). Bedtime procrastination at Time 1 also predicted sleep quality at Time 2 (β = -0.319, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis indicated that bedtime procrastination at Time 2 significantly mediated the relationship between technostress at Time 1 and sleep quality at Time 2 (β = -0.128, 95% CI [- 0.251, - 0.031]). The findings highlight the importance of addressing technology-related stress and sleep behaviors in student well-being initiatives. Future research may examine targeted strategies to mitigate technostress and improve sleep outcomes in academic settings.