Sleep Quality and its Impact on Trait Anxiety and Perceived Stress

Abstract

Abstract: One in four college students experience overwhelming sleep problems throughout their college career. Many studies have determined significant connections between sleep quality and issues of mental and emotional health, namely those involving stress and anxiety. In the fall of 2015 this self-administered survey was used to examine the possible impact sleep quality could have on both levels of trait anxiety and levels of perceived stress. Using systematic random sampling, a sample of 416 rooms were selected for participation from a population of 1311 campus residents attending a small liberal arts college in the mid-Atlantic region. Of the 416 selected dorms, ­­280 completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of ­­­67.31%. The results indicate statistically significant relationships between both sleep quality and levels of trait anxiety and sleep quality and levels of perceived stress, supporting both hypotheses.