Morningness/eveningness chronotype, poor sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness in relation to common mental disorders among Peruvian college students

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the association between sleep disturbances and common mental disorders (CMDs) among Peruvian college students. A total of 2,538 undergraduate students completed a self-administered questionnaire to gather information about sleep characteristics, socio-demographic and lifestyle data. Evening chronotype, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness were assessed using the Horne and Ostberg Morningess-Eveningeness Questionnaire (MEQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Presence of CMDs was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Logistic regression procedures were used to examine the associations of sleep disturbances with CMDs while accounting for possible confounding factors. Overall, 33.4% of the participants had prevalent CMDs (39.2% among females and 24.4% among males). In multivariable adjusted logistic models, those with evening chronotype (OR=1.43; 95% CI 1.00–2.05), poor sleep quality (OR=4.50; 95%CI 3.69–5.49) and excessive daytime sleepiness (OR=1.68; 95% CI 1.41–2.01) were at a relative increased odds of CMDs compared to those without sleep disturbances. In conclusion, we found strong associations between sleep disturbances and CMDs among Peruvian college students. Early education and preventative interventions designed to improve sleep habits may effectively alter the possibility of developing CMDs among young adults.