Sleep Quality and Sleep Hygiene as Predictors of Mental Health among University Students

Abstract

Sleep is an integral human need. A significant public health issue is getting little sleep, which harms health. University students are one of the groups most at risk for poor sleep quality and chronic sleep loss, which could influence both physical and mental health. Students frequently report having persistent sleep issues and may exhibit poor sleep hygiene habits. However, little research has investigated the role of good sleep habits concerning sleep quality and mental health. The present study explores the relationship between sleep hygiene, sleep quality, and mental health among university students. The research design was cross-sectional, and the sample was chosen using a non-probability convenience sampling strategy. Sample comprised of university students (N= 210). The scale of positive mental health, sleep hygiene index, and general sleep scale were used for data collection. Results revealed a significant correlation between sleep quality, sleep hygiene, and mental health among university students. Both sleep hygiene and quality were found to be significant predictors of positive mental health. A significant gender difference was found between sleep quality, sleep hygiene, and positive mental health among male and female university students. These findings can provide information about the link between the study variables and interventions for developing good sleep hygiene habits and quality of sleep amongst university students. It could help improve mental health among this at-risk population.