Research Topic:

The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Health of Students

Student Name: Chimaoge Julia Ezimakor

Introduction/Background of the Study

Sleep is among the most important aspects of human health since most body functions, whether
cognitive, physical or psychological, are controlled by sleep. Among students, especially in the
secondary and tertiary institutions, there is sleep deprivation emanating mainly from academic
demands, social life, and extracurricular demands. Irregular patterns of sleep have been
rampant among students. They stay awake in the early hours of the morning to finish
assignments, study for examinations, or even just to be with their peers. In fact, the increased
access to technology and social media nowadays has exacerbated the situation since it further
advances sleep disturbances. It is sad to note that this has affected students' academic
performance, physical health, emotional status, and cognitive function. As stated by Curcio et al
(2006), ‘sleep loss is frequently associated with poor declarative and procedural learning in
students’. The present study has concentrated on the negative consequences of sleep
deprivation among students regarding their health and has presented some interventional
strategies in order to improve their sleeping habits.

Sleep for a student not only rejuvenates the body but also fortifies memory, heightens
concentration, and primes the psyche for the complicated tasks that learning demands. This is
why sleep deprivation is a silent killer since it has been shown to contribute to everything from
weakened immune systems and hormonal imbalances to depression and anxiety. Long-term
effects can be incurred even from minor sleep disruptions, which build up over time, and the
effects are much worse than simple fatigue. Thus, students who fall prey to having a ‘nocturnal
preference…can progress to delayed sleep-phase disorder (DSPD), a circadian rhythm disorder
characterized by sleep-onset insomnia and difficulty waking at the desired time’, according to
Hershner, S. D & Chervin, R. D (2014). Cognitively, these students will likewise have difficulty
with memory retention, problem-solving, and critical thinking-skills required for academic
success. Emotionally, they may become irritable, anxious, and less resilient against stress.

Sleep deprivation has been normalized-or even valorized-in most academic environments.
Pulling an all-nighter to study is a hallmark of dedication or "toughness" across cultures in ways
that further encourage students toward unhealthy extremes. But this concept does not take into
consideration the cost for such behavior. Chronic sleep deprivation is now known to weaken
physical and mental health, decrease the capacity to cope with stress, lead to greater
vulnerability to disease, and ultimately undermine productivity.

Students sleeping habits have been further complicated by the digital age: smartphones,
laptops, and tablets expose them to artificial light far into the evening, Interrupting their natural
circadian rhythms. As they move through academics, extracurriculars, part-time jobs, and social
lives, sleep quickly becomes a casualty on their road to success with the irony being that such
success might actually be better realized with proper rest.

This present study will shed light on the dangerous effects of sleep deprivation on the health of
students and break the myth about sleep being dispensable. The present research will look at
the causes, symptoms, and effects of sleep deprivation long-term, with hopes that such will spur
rethinking some academic and social demands and emphasize sleep as a cornerstone for
health, learning, and wellness.

Problem Statement

Sleep deprivation among the students has become a widespread issue with grave
consequences on health as well as academic performance. A significant proportion of students
reportedly receive 6 - 6.9 hours of sleep every night. Chronic sleep deprivation will result in
weakened immunity, obesity, anxiety, and poor cognitive function—all these could disadvantage
them in the pursuit of their academic interests and personal endeavors. Fully aware of all these
effects, there seems to be a general lack of awareness on the part of students and educators
about sleep's importance for optimal functioning. This research paper tries to portray the acute
severity of sleep deprivation among students and their direct influence on the physical and
mental health of the students.

Purpose or Objective of the Study

The theme of this research study is an investigation into the effects that sleep deprivation has
on the health of students. It, therefore, intends to:

1. Establish the prevalent causes of sleep deprivation among students.

2. Physical, cognitive, and emotional effects of sleep deprivation.

3. The effects of sleep deprivation on academic performance.

4. Recommend interventions that a student and the education system can take to
beneficially influence sleep hygiene and awareness.

Research Questions

In the course of the research, the following questions shall be identified:

What are the major causes of sleep deprivation in students?

To what extent does sleep deprivation contribute to deterioration in the physical health of
students?

To what extent does sleep deprivation wholly contribute to the comorbidity effects of cognitive
and emotional disturbances?

To what extent does sleep deprivation contribute to poor academic performance?

What type of activities can be engaged in to enhance appropriate sleep behavior?

Hypothesis to Be Tested:

The following hypotheses are tested in this present research:

Hypothesis I: Sleep-deprived students will have poorer physical health as compared with the
students who had enough rest.
Hypothesis II: Poor sleeping negatively influences cognitive functions such as memory, focused
attention, and decision-making processes.
Hypothesis III: Sleep deprivation is associated with poor school performance.

Significance of the Study

Understanding the effects of sleep deprivation among students would mean that some useful
strategies could be devised, hence assisting in improving both their academic and general
performance. Justification for this study is that it creates an overview about the direct correlation
between sleep and health, thus raising awareness among the students, parents, and educators
themselves. This will also aid in the formulation of policies within the institutions that will
promote a more sensible balance between the demand for academics and the need for students
to get enough rest. This study promotes the chances of having a healthy student population,
and this goes along with the health program of promoting a rounded healthy lifestyle.

Limitations of the Study

The following are the limitations of the present study:

1. The sample may be drawn from a small population and may hence reduce the capability
of generalizing the findings to a larger population of students.

2. Subjective Sleep Measure: In self-report measures of sleep, there is room for biases to
occur since the students may over or underestimate the amount and quality of sleep.

3. External Influences: Other causes of sleep deprivation, such as socio-economic status,

family obligations, and problems relating to mental health, are outside the control of the
researcher hence may have an effect on the findings.

Definition of Terms

Sleep Deprivation: A condition resulting from continued lack of sufficient sleep, eventually
building up and telling on one's physical and mental performance.

Cognitive Performance: Explanation of tasks in the brain involving memory, problem solving,
paying attention, and making decisions.

Sleep Hygiene: Practices and habits that are associated with improved quality and regular
sleep, overall better quality of sleep.
School Performance: In most cases, it refers to the student's achievement either in a short-run
or in a long run basis as often gauged by grades or tests given to check a student's mastery
skills on different subjects.

Emotional Well-being: A psychological state of a person that may also involve mood, levels of
stress, or emotions handled.

References

Curcio G, Ferrara M, De Gennaro L. Sleep loss, learning capacity and academic performance.
Sleep Med Rev. 2006 Oct;10(5):323-37. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2005.11.001. Epub 2006 Mar 24.
PMID: 16564189.

Dewald, J. F., Meijer, A. M., Oort, F. J., Kerkhof, G. A., & Bögels, S. M. (2010). The influence of
sleep quality, sleep duration and sleepiness on school performance in children and adolescents:
A meta-analytic review. Sleep medicine reviews, 14(3), 179–189.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2009.10.004

Hershner, S. D., & Chervin, R. D. (2014). Causes and consequences of sleepiness among
college students. Nature and science of sleep, 6, 73–84. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S62907