Comparative Analysis of Academic Performances of Sleep Deprived Versus Non-Sleep Deprived Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The study used Ex Post Facto research design to compare the academic performances of sleep deprived and non-sleep deprived undergraduate students of tertiary institutions. A sample of 385 male and female undergraduate students (mean age = 25.43±4.76) filled the modified version of the eight-item Epsworth Sleepiness Scale and Self-reported Perceived Academic Performance. The data was analyzed using Pearson’s Chi square method in STATA 14. Findings reveals a significant effect of sleep deprivation on students’ academic performance, Pearson ꭓ² (3) = 19.554, p < 0.05, with academic performance of sleep deprived students within age 23-27 significantly affected than other age range, Pearson ꭓ² (9) = 176.804, p < 0.05. However, further analysis did not suggest significant differential effect of sleep deprivation on academic performance of sleep deprived male and female students, Pearson ꭓ² (3) = 1.636, p = 0.651. The study concludes that sleep deprivation may be strongly related to poor academic performances among university undergraduate students. It will therefore be important for school authorities to enlighten newly admitted students on the benefits of having adequate sleep and the consequences of lack of it.

Keywords: Sleep deprived, Non-sleep deprived, Academic performances, Undergraduate students