Predictors of Daytime Sleepiness Among University Students

Role of Sleep Hygiene, Sleep Duration, and Residential Status

Authors

  • Radhika Dixit Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh 244001, India
  • Priyank Singh BPT Final Year Student, Department of Physiotherapy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh 244001, India
  • Ruby Parveen BPT Final Year Student, Department of Physiotherapy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh 244001, India
  • Shahfaiz BPT Final Year Student, Department of Physiotherapy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh 244001, India
  • Muskan Jain Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh 244001, India
  • Sonam Nidhi Assistant Professor, Amity Institute of Physiotherapy, Amity University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303002, India

Keywords:

sleep hygiene, sleep duration, university students, residential status, Epworth, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), daytime sleepiness

Abstract

Objective: To examine how sleep hygiene (SHI), demographic factors (age, gender), and sleep duration influence daytime sleepiness (ESS), and whether residential status (hosteler vs. day scholar) moderates these relationships.

Method: A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted among 240 college students aged 18–25 years from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. Participants were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Students with self-reported disturbed sleep patterns over the past two weeks were recruited. After obtaining written informed consent, a brief assessment was conducted. Outcome measures included the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to evaluate daytime sleepiness and the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) to assess sleep-related behaviors. Data analysis was performed to examine the influence of sleep hygiene, demographics, and sleep duration on daytime sleepiness, and to explore the moderating effect of residential status (hosteler vs. day scholar).

Results: A total of 240 college students participated in the study. The mean age was 20.60 years (SD = 3.19), with some likely data entry errors noted. Participants reported an average sleep duration of 6.89 hours (SD = 1.82). The mean ESS score was 7.64 (SD = 4.31), indicating mild daytime sleepiness. The average SHI score was 20.25 (SD = 8.11), reflecting moderate variability and deficiencies in sleep hygiene. Overall, the data highlight suboptimal sleep habits and mild daytime sleepiness among the students.

Conclusion: The study concludes that poor sleep hygiene and shorter sleep duration are significant predictors of daytime sleepiness among university students. Additionally, residential status influences sleep behavior, with hostellers showing higher levels of sleep disruption. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to promote healthy sleep habits in this population.

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Inventum Biologicum

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03-07-2026

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Dixit, R., Singh, P., Parveen, R., Shahfaiz, Jain, M., & Nidhi, S. (2026). Predictors of Daytime Sleepiness Among University Students: Role of Sleep Hygiene, Sleep Duration, and Residential Status. Inventum Biologicum: An International Journal of Biological Research, 6(3). Retrieved from https://journals.worldbiologica.com/ib/article/view/214

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Vol. 6 No. 3 (2026)

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Research article

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