Effects of Sleep Quality on University Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Sleep is an essential physiological process for the maintenance of physical, mental, and cognitive health, playing a fundamental role in the body’s balance and recovery. University students constitute a particularly vulnerable group to sleep deprivation due to factors such as the transition to adulthood and adaptation to academic life. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze the effects of sleep quality on mental health and academic performance among university students. This article consists of a qualitative and descriptive literature review, based on articles published between 2014 and 2024, retrieved from databases such as SciELO and Google Scholar. Findings indicate that poor sleep quality is strongly associated with emotional dysregulation, excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairments, and decreased academic achievement. Furthermore, endogenous factors, such as hormonal alterations and circadian rhythm dysregulation, together with exogenous factors, including excessive academic demands, overuse of electronic devices, and irregular habits, significantly contribute to sleep deprivation. It is concluded that poor sleep quality compromises students’ mental health and academic performance, factors that mutually influence each other, establishing a bidirectional relationship. Therefore, the importance of institutional actions aimed at raising awareness and promoting healthy sleep habits is highlighted. Such measures may significantly contribute to the well-being and academic performance of university students.

Keywords: Sleep deprivation, Mental health, Academic performance, Habits, Circadian rhythm.