Effects of perceived stress and mood states on sleep quality in University students during pandemic context

Abstract

This study aimed to explore how perceived stress predicted sleep quality using mood states and student characteristics (age, gender, and physical activity performed) as moderators. One-hundred seventy-eight university students (Mage = 21.8 years; SD = 3.8; 40.4% women and 59.6% men) responded to questionnaires about their perceived stress, mood states, and sleep quality in March 2021. Negative and positive mood states, age, and physical activity significantly moderated the relationship between perceived stress and sleep quality. Being older (21-24 years) and perceiving negative mood states affected negatively as the perceived stress influenced leading to poor sleep quality. In contrast, positive mood states and performing more than 10 hours of physical activity weekly improve the relationship, in the way that stress affected lees to sleep quality. Considering the importance of sleep for university students’ well-being, this study brings insights into how university students could improve their sleep quality by regulating their mood states and adapting their lifestyles. Also, consultants and university counsellors should be aware that older students and women may be more sensitive to suffering sleep problems due to stress.