COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Sleep and Mental Health Disparities among Students at a Hispanic and Minority-Serving Institution

Monideepa B. Becerra, Rushil J. Gumasana, Jasmine A. Mitchell, Jeffrey Bao Truong and Benjamin J. Becerra
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Monideepa B. Becerra: Center for Health Equity, California State University-San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA
Rushil J. Gumasana: Center for Health Equity, California State University-San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA
Jasmine A. Mitchell: Center for Health Equity, California State University-San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA
Jeffrey Bao Truong: Center for Health Equity, California State University-San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA
Benjamin J. Becerra: Center for Health Equity, California State University-San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-10

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly all sectors of our population, including college students, who continue to share disproportionate rate of disparities. In this study, we aimed to identity key sleep health characteristics, including markers for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as its relation to mental health, physical health, and academic performance. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with online survey dissemination was used. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted among a predominantly minority population. Results: Results show that nearly 78% of the population reported that the pandemic impacted their mental or physical health, while over 83% reported daytime tiredness/fatigue/sleepiness, and another 61% reported sleeping less than seven hours during weekdays. Among other associations, pandemic-related poor sleep health, including sleeping less than seven hours, was associated with daytime tiredness/fatigue/sleepiness, psychological distress, as well as low mental health and physical health. A severe marker for obstructive sleep apnea, having stopped breathing during sleep, was also associated with psychological distress during the pandemic. Conclusions: Sleep health interventions are critical for optimizing college student health and well-being, including improving mental health outcomes.

Keywords: sleep health; mental health; COVID; pandemic; college students; young adults; minority serving institution; Hispanic serving institution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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