Relationship Between Sleep Quality, Stress And Academic Performance

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The Relationship Between Sleep Quality, Stress and Academic Performance in University Students.
University students are renowned for their sub-optimal sleeping habits and high stress levels and it is estimated that approximately 27% of student’s report suffering from a sleep related disorder (Gaultney, 2010). Sleep is an essential biological function that aids in recover, and learning and memory consolidation (Walker & Stickgold, 2004). A lack of sleep quality has been considered to have a strong relationship with a variety of negative consequences that include increased stress levels, psychological disorders and reduced academic performance (Fortunato & Harsh, 2006; Marhefka, 2011). The relationship between stress and sleep quality is thought to be bi-directional, meaning stress influences sleep quality and vice versa (Lund et al. 2010). Stress can be a behavioural or psychological reaction characterised by internal turmoil that has the potential to impair daily life functioning. Even in minor forms stress has the potential to reduce cognitive function, judgement and insight, all which are thought to be essential for a student’s success (Arnsten & Shansky, 2004). University factors that may influence stress levels may come from assignment deadlines, not understanding concepts and moratorium about the future. For the purpose of this study stress will be measured as either high or low in accordance to the DASS-21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1994). The University environment is undoubtedly competitive and this has the potential to place large amounts of pressure on students to succeed. This pressure can often result in stress due to the impact that a student’s grades can have on them being accepted into post-graduate program...

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...literature appears to indicate an interdimensional relationship between academic performance, sleep quality and stress. However, a concern within the literature is a lack of follow ups and to my knowledge no studies have focused on academic performance, sleep quality and stress with an Australian University sample. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sleep quality, stress and academic performance and to determine what is the best predictor of academic performance using an Australian University sample. It was hypothesised that there will be a strong correlation between sleep quality and stress. It was also hypothesised that higher stress levels will be associated with lower GPA scores. Lastly, it was hypothesised that there will be a difference between high stress individuals and low stress individuals on academic performance.

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