Sleep Quality and Academic Performance in University Students: A Wake-Up Call for College Psychologists
Abstract
Both sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality are prominent in American society, especially in college student populations. Sleep problems are often a primary disorder rather than secondary to depression. The purpose of the present study was to determine if sleep deprivation and/or poor sleep quality in a sample of nondepressed university students was associated with lower academic performance. A significant negative correlation between Global Sleep Quality score (GSQ) on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and grade point average supports the hypothesis that poor sleep quality is associated with lower academic performance for nondepressed students. Implications for both the remedial (assessment and treatment) and preventive (outreach) work of college and university counseling centers is discussed.
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Most studies looking at the effects of sleep quality and duration on academic performance have linked longer and better-quality sleep with better academic performance such as school grades and study effort.
“While a few studies report null effects,20,21 most studies looking at the effects of sleep quality and duration on academic performance have linked longer and better-quality sleep with better academic performance such as school grades and study effort.4,6,9–13,22–27”
From Sleep quality, duration, and consistency are associated with better academic performance in college students (2019) · cites this paper as [11]
The present study's results correlating overall sleep quality and duration with academic performance are well aligned with previous studies.
“The present results correlating overall sleep quality and duration with academic performance are well aligned with previous studies6,11,12,24,25 on the role of sleep on cognitive performance.”
From Sleep quality, duration, and consistency are associated with better academic performance in college students (2019) · cites this paper as [11]
Self-reported sleep measures from students in their own homes have been found to be associated with academic performance.
“self-reported sleep measures from students in the comfort of their own homes have also been found to be associated with academic performance.9–13”
From Sleep quality, duration, and consistency are associated with better academic performance in college students (2019) · cites this paper as [11]
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- Authors
- Gilbert, S. P., & Weaver, C. C.
- Affiliations
- Minnesota State University, Mankato (US)
- Oklahoma State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Gilbert, Steven P.
- Venue
- Journal of College Student Psychotherapy
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-09-27
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 295-306
- ISSN
- 1540-4730 (ISSN-L)
- 8756-8225
- OpenAlex
- W2129455700
- Cited by
- 159
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of College Student Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Social Sciences › Education › Educational Outcomes and Influences
- Keywords
- sleep quality, sleep deprivation, academic performance, university students, grade point average, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, college counseling centers, sleep disorders
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