Sociodemographic differences in sleep disturbances among college athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACT Collegiate athletes may be vulnerable to sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined demographic-, sports-, and COVID-19-related differences in sleep disturbances among collegiate athletes during the first two to three months of COVID-19 and determined the strongest relationships to sleep in regression models. Data were collected from NCAA collegiate athletes (N = 5915) online between 10 April and 15 May 2020. Mean differences in PROMIS Sleep Disturbances were assessed using t-tests and ANOVAs, and hierarchical regression models were used to examine predictors. Approximately 35% of athletes reported at least mild sleep disturbances. Several demographic and psychosocial factors were associated with greater mean sleep disturbances. In multivariate models, female gender identity, Black race, exposure to COVID-19, and higher perceived stress were associated with greater sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances during COVID-19 were unequally distributed among college athletes, highlighting the need for targeted sleep interventions.