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Predictors of Sleep Difficulties in College Students

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

A. Paula Amaral
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Psychological Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal Institute Polytechnic of Coimbra, ESTESC, Coimbra Health School, Coimbra, Portugal
M. João Soares
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Psychological Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
A.T. Pereira
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Psychological Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
M. Bajouco
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Psychological Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
B. Maia
Affiliation:
Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences - Catholic University of Portugal, Braga Regional Centre, Braga, Portugal
M. Marques
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Psychological Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
J. Valente
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Psychological Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
A. Macedo
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Psychological Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal

Abstract

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Introduction

College students are known for their variable sleep schedules. Such schedules, along with other common student practices are associated with poor sleep hygiene. The persistence of the precipitating stressor is one of the factors involved in the persistence of insomnia.

Aims

To examine the role of the perceived stress, perseverative thinking, strategies of cognitive emotion regulation and negative affect as predictors of sleep difficulties.

Methods

The sample comprises 549 college students.

Measures

PSS-10, PTQ, CERQ and POMS-58. Three questions were used to access difficulties in initiating sleep (DIS), maintaining sleep (DMS) and early morning wakening (EMA). A Sleep Difficulties Index (SDI) was calculated by summing DIS, DMS and EMA scores.

Results

In total sample, the multiple linear regression explained 27.7% of the SDI total variance (R2 = .277, F(9, 375) = 15,942, P < .0001). The significant predictors of the total variance of SDI were perceived distress (B = .246, P = .0001), repetitive thought (B = .189, P = .005), cognitive interference and unproductiveness (B = −.188, P = .006), rumination (B = .130, P = .044) and negative affect (B = .156, P = .018).

Conclusions

Preventive interventions focused on predictor factors (perceived stress, perseverative thinking, rumination and negative affect) should be considered in order to promote better mental health in college students.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
Oral communications: Classification of mental disorders; comorbidity/dual pathologies; psychopathology; psychopharmacology and pharmacoeconomics and sleep disorders & stress
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2017
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