May 2019-Nov 2022
Dr Rebecca Stores, Senior Lecturer, School of Health and Care Professions (SHCP), University of Portsmouth (PI)
Dr Skaiste Linceviciute, Research Assistant, School of Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth
Dr Karen Pilkington (CI), Honorary Senior Research Fellow, SHCP, University of Portsmouth
Ms Caroline Stevens (CI), Head of Portsmouth Law School & Reader in Legal Education, University of Portsmouth
Dr Darren Van Laar (CI), Reader in Applied Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth
Dr Denise Meyer (CI), Head of Student Wellbeing Service, University of Portsmouth
Professor Damien Ridge (CI), Professor of Health Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Westminster
Sleep problems can harm physical and mental wellbeing. Such disturbance is common in the general population. Due to a range of factors, University students are at particular risk affecting both their wellbeing and education
There is convincing evidence that persistent sleep disturbance has harmful psychological and physical effects for any individual (Kryger, Roth & Dement, 2017). Inadequate or poor quality sleep is associated with disturbed emotional states and behaviours such as anxiety, depression and irritability and impaired cognitive function and performance. Such disturbance is common in the general population, but certain groups are at particularly high risk. Due to a range of psychological, physiological, social, and environmental factors, University students are at an increased risk of sleep disturbance. Students new to University experience several significant changes including leaving home, transitional issues moving from the structured environment of school to the independence of University life, changes in peer groups, new social situations and increased academic responsibilities. Such challenges and special circumstances can be associated with sleep disturbances resulting in potential significant educational and mental health impact.
More than half of all college students in the US report feeling tired or sleepy during the day (American College Health Association, 2016) and it has been reported that 70% of US college students obtain fewer than eight hours sleep during the week (Lund, Reider, Whiting & Pritchard, 2010). Increased rates of sleep disturbance as well as mental strain have also been found in University students in Germany and Luxembourg (Schlarb, Classen Grunwald & Vogele, 2017). Insufficient and poor quality sleep can negatively affect learning, attention and academic performance (Curcio, Ferrara & De Gennaro, 2006). This, combined with a range other factors such as early lecture times, frequent use of technology before bed and excessive alcohol and caffeine intake can all have a detrimental effect on students’ sleep, mental health, wellbeing and educational attainment. Despite the importance of this topic, it remains under-researched, especially in the UK. A more specific understanding of sleep disturbance, mental health, wellbeing and educational impact in UK University students is required. Such research requires an interdisciplinary approach given the multifaceted factors involved. By gathering some preliminary data from two very different Universities (Westminster and Portsmouth), we will be able to better generalise beyond the two universities about student sleep.