0678 Consequences of following the herd: Perceptions drive a vicious cycle of poor student sleep habits at an elite university

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Poor sleep health is widespread among undergraduate university students. This study sought to understand the contributors to poor sleep quality at an elite undergraduate university in the United States. In particular, we were interested in uncovering the social influences on sleep regularity, which is increasingly regarded as a critical determinant of overall sleep quality. Methods An exploratory, mixed-methods study was designed combining a week-long diary study (n=5) and in-depth contextual interviews (n=5) to better understand undergraduate students’ college experience and sleep behaviors, followed by a student survey (n=181) to uncover primary macro trends and factors related to those sleep behaviors. Results A significant irregular sleep schedule emerged as highly common among students. Sleep irregularity was strongly influenced by students’ perceptions about their peers’ sleep and working habits. These perceptions combined with a personal desire to keep pace with their peers and the prioritization of academic work implicitly stated by the university culture influenced when and how students went about their lives, even if those behaviors meant acting against their knowledge and judgment. The convergence of perceptions and behaviors generates a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation and low productivity. The cycle stems from students’ desire to match their peers, which leads to late nights and sleep deprivation. The resulting impaired executive functioning contributes to subsequent inefficient scheduling and lack of concentration. As concentration drops, students multi-tasked more often and incomplete tasks piled up, necessitating further sleep deprivation to get it all done. Conclusion Poor sleep regularity in college is influenced by a set of interconnected factors derived at both the level of the individual student and at the student-body level. Interventions should consider a dual approach to break the vicious cycle, targeting the harmful beliefs among students about the sleep and working habits of their peers, and the prioritization of academic work. Support (if any)