Examining Sleep and Sleep Hygiene in a Sample of College Students and Differences Between On and Off-Campus Housing

Abstract

Insufficient sleep poses risks to mental health, physical health, and overall well-being but is often overlooked, particularly in young adults and college students whose academic success may also be impacted. Improving sleep health of students is therefore paramount to improving student success and well-being, but little information exists on student’s existing sleep habits. Sleep hygiene practices are associated with better sleep, but may not be common in students, particularly among those who live in dorms and have little control over their environment. This study aimed to analyze sleep habits in a sample of 74 students at Middle Tennessee State University and determine if differences exist between those who live on-campus and those who live off-campus after accounting for the impact of anxiety. Results indicated that worse sleep hygiene was significantly correlated with lower sleep efficiency. Additionally, anxiety was negatively correlated with sleep hygiene, time asleep, and sleep efficiency. No differences were found between students who live on-campus and off-campus after controlling for the influence of anxiety, although future studies should further examine this using larger samples. Keywords: Sleep Hygiene, Insufficient Sleep, Sleep Efficiency, Sleep Quality, Anxiety, College Students, Young Adults, GAD-7, Sleep Hygiene Index