ASSOCIATION OF SLEEP DISTURBANCE, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG MEDICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/s1tqv263Keywords:
Anxiety, Depression, Mental Health, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Sleep Disturbance, Students, StressAbstract
Background: Sleep is a fundamental biological process essential for physical and psychological restoration. Disruptions in sleep quality have been strongly linked with various neuropsychiatric conditions, including anxiety and depression. These associations are particularly prevalent in student populations, where academic stress and irregular routines frequently impair sleep. Comorbid sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety have been increasingly reported and are known to contribute to cognitive impairment, poor academic performance, substance misuse, and psychological distress.
Objective: To determine the association between sleep disturbance, depression, and anxiety among students of Gulab Devi Educational Complex.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2020 to March 2021 at Gulab Devi Educational Complex, Lahore. A total of 270 students aged 18 to 25 years were enrolled through non-probability purposive sampling. Data collection tools included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess psychological health. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, and Spearman’s rho correlation test was applied to assess associations.
Results: Among 270 participants, 55.9% were male and 44.1% were female, with the highest proportion (29.3%) aged 23 years. According to DASS-21, 34.8% had moderate depression, 25.2% severe depression, and 8.1% extremely severe depression. Anxiety levels were also elevated, with 28.9% reporting mild anxiety, 27.0% moderate, and 11.9% extremely severe. Sleep quality assessment revealed that only 10% had very good sleep, while 48.1% experienced fairly bad sleep. Statistically significant positive correlations were observed between depression and sleep disturbance (p < 0.01) and between anxiety and sleep disturbance (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The study confirmed strong associations between poor sleep quality and higher levels of depression and anxiety in students. Early intervention strategies focusing on sleep hygiene and mental health awareness are crucial in academic settings.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Syed Muhammad Saad Hayat, Hira Afzaal (Author)
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