<p>Cross-Sectional Survey of Sleep Practices of Australian University Students</p>

Abstract

Background and Aim: Sleep insufficiency is often associated with the life of a university student, yet it is well known that inadequate sleep can have a negative impact on physical and mental health and be detrimental to cognitive skills for learning. The aim of this study was to replicate a Canadian study to survey university student sleep practices, the way in which students address any sleep issues, and the students' preferred method to receive targeted sleep information. Methods: An anonymous on-line survey was promoted to all enrolled students at one Australian University in August 2017. Results: In total, 601 students responded to the survey. One third indicated that they had insufficient sleep (less than 6.5 hrs). Almost two thirds reported a perception of not getting sufficient sleep. There was a significant association between the reported number of sleep hours, and the perception of high-quality sleep. Strategies to get to sleep included the use of social media which is counter to best practice in sleep hygiene. Conclusion: The study supports the need for education about sleep health coupled with stress management to better the demands of student life.

Latent Class Analysis of Multiple Health Risk Behaviors among Australian University Students and Associations with Psychological Distress

“…The study sample was a small proportion of the total student body (6.7%). However, this is comparable with/higher than other recent online surveys in university students using convenience sampling and is reflective of the challenges of recruitment in university student and young adult samples [ 40 , 41 , 42 ]. The sample consisted of slightly higher proportions of female, undergraduate and domestic students compared with the average across Australian universities.…”

Is There an Association between Health Risk Behaviours and Academic Achievement among University Students?

“…Insufficient sleep has also been shown to be a common part of university life and has been linked to mental disorders, risk-taking behaviours, consuming excessive alcohol and caffeine, and high rates of social media use [20]. In cross-sectional surveys examining sleep practices among Australian university students, up to one third of students were found to have insufficient sleep (<6.5 h/night) [20] or reported hours of sleep above or below national recommendations [21].…”

The validity and reliability study of the Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness ​Questionnaire and examination of the sleepiness of university students

“…The results of this study are in line with the literature and the students who delayed sleep time to study for exams showed that they had more sleepiness than those who did not delay (Table 5). In recent years, the use of social media has been the most important factor causing university students to sleep less 41 . Therefore, they sleep less than they should sleep because they sleep later and cannot get rest in the morning rested from their beds.…”

“…In recent years, the use of social media has been the most important factor causing university students to sleep less. 41 of the school. The results of our study showed that as the scores they got from CASQ increased, the frequency of students feeling sleepy during the day, sleepiness in and out of school, and getting up in the morning without resting increased (Table 5).…”