PaLS Study of Sleep Deprivation and Mental Health Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Grzegorz Gruba, Przemysław Seweryn Kasiak, Joanna Gębarowska, Natalia Adamczyk, Zuzanna Sikora, Alicja Monika Jodczyk, Artur Mamcarz and Daniel Śliż
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Grzegorz Gruba: Students’ Scientific Group of Lifestyle Medicine, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland
Przemysław Seweryn Kasiak: Students’ Scientific Group of Lifestyle Medicine, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland
Joanna Gębarowska: Students’ Scientific Group of Lifestyle Medicine, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland
Natalia Adamczyk: Students’ Scientific Group of Lifestyle Medicine, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland
Zuzanna Sikora: Students’ Scientific Group of Lifestyle Medicine, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland
Alicja Monika Jodczyk: Students’ Scientific Group of Lifestyle Medicine, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland
Artur Mamcarz: Polish Society of Lifestyle Medicine, 00-388 Warsaw, Poland
Daniel Śliż: Students’ Scientific Group of Lifestyle Medicine, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-12

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many people live. To assess its impact on sleep quality and quantity, blue light exposure, and the mental health of Polish university students, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. Almost half of the participants were medical students (47.62%; n = 630). The majority of students were suffering from insomnia (58.13%, n = 769). Almost every third student was sleeping less than 7 h a day (30.39%, n = 402). Our study showed that a short sleep duration correlates with poorer mental health outcomes. Respondents who declared sadness and depression were more likely to suffer from insomnia (OR = 5.6997, 95% CI: 4.3641–7.4441). Difficulty with tasks was also more likely to co-occur with insomnia (OR = 5.4723, 95% CI: 4.3007 to 6.9630). The results of this study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the deterioration of sleep quality and quantity as well as the psychological well-being of Polish students. It is important to take steps to promote proper sleeping habits to alleviate the risk of mental health disorders in this group of people.

Keywords: COVID-19; sleep quality; mental health; physical activity; blue light; screen time (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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