Insomnia and other sleep-related problems during the remission period of the COVID-19 pandemic: A large-scale survey among college students in China

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the sleep-related problems and predictors of probable clinical insomnia among college students during the COVID-19 remission period in China. 146,102 college students from 22 colleges/universities in Guangdong province participated in this study from 1th to 15th June, 2020. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess demographic characteristics. Sleep-related problems, depression and anxiety symptoms were measured by Youth Self-Rating Insomnia Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, respectively. The prevalence of difficulty in initiating sleep, difficulty in maintaining sleep, early morning awakening, sleep insufficiency, unrefreshing sleep and daytime functioning impairment were 7.2%, 3.4%, 3.5%, 9.6%, 14.6%, and 7.6%, respectively. 16.9% students had varying degrees of insomnia and 6.3% were considered as displaying probable clinical insomnia. Moreover, being urban residents, having a history of physical or mental illness, and probable clinical depression or anxiety were significant risk factors of probable clinical insomnia, while college senior degree and 7-8 hours’ sleep duration per day was the protective factor for probable clinical insomnia. Unrefreshing sleep was the most prominent sleep problem among college students during COVID-19 remission in China. Good sleep hygiene practices are strongly suggested to develop in the time of prolonged home isolation.

The Association Between Changes in the University Educational Setting and Peer Relationships: Effects in Students' Depressive Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Regarding sleeping patterns, our sample revealed a similar result to the existing literature ( 10 , 11 ), with most students reporting fewer hours asleep and going to sleep later than before the pandemic.…”

“…University students have also reported sleep alterations during the pandemic, with an evident decrease in sleep quality ( 10 ), insomnia and other sleep alterations ( 11 ).…”

Insomnia Prevalence and Associated Factors Among University Students in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown: A Large-Scale Survey

“…Also, senior levels students showed lower insomnia rates, which is similar to the findings of a large-scale study in China among university students. 27 This can be attributed to younger students being in a new environment and requiring more time to adapt. However, Alyoubi et al did find a difference in insomnia rates between older and younger students.…”

Changes in suicidal ideation and related influential factors in college students during the COVID-19 lockdown in China

“…Based on the geographical distribution and types of colleges/universities, 22 colleges and universities in Guangdong Province were selected. A detailed geographical distribution of the colleges/universities is described in a previous study ( Zhang et al., 2021 ). During the COVID-19 lockdown in China, we conducted a three-wave cross-sectional online survey during the outbreak period (Time1, T1: Feb 3 to 10, 2020), remission period (Time2, T2: March 24 to April 3, 2020), and normal prevention period (Time3, T3: June 1 to June 15, 2020) of COVID-19.…”