The Relationship Between Sleep Patterns and Academic Performance Among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Sleep is essential for the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of adolescents.Despite its importance, many adolescents do not get sufficient sleep due to academic pressures, social activities, and excessive use of electronic devices.Sleep deprivation can significantly impair cognitive function, leading to poor academic performance and various mental health issues such as anxiety and depression (Owens et al., 2014;Fuligni & Hardway, 2006).Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between sleep patterns and academic performance among school-going adolescents aged 14-18 years in Delhi, India.The focus is on examining how sleep duration and quality influence academic outcomes and mental health indicators.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect and analyse data from a stratified random sample of 1500 school children.Data collection involved self-constructed questionnaires assessing sleep patterns and mental health, and academic performance records provided by schools.Sleep duration and quality were measured through self-reports, while academic performance was evaluated using grade point averages (GPA).Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors of academic performance and mental health, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.Results: The sample comprised 1500 students, with an equal distribution of males (51%) and females (49%).The average sleep duration was 6.5 hours per night, and the average sleep quality score was 6.0 (on a scale of 1 to 10).The average GPA was 3.4.Pearson's correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between sleep duration and GPA (r = 0.40, p < 0.01) and between sleep quality and GPA (r = 0.45, p < 0.01).Multiple regression analysis indicated that both sleep duration ( = 0.25, p = 0.001) and sleep quality ( = 0.30, p = 0.003) were significant predictors of academic performance.Furthermore, inadequate sleep was associated with higher levels of anxiety (r = -0.35,p < 0.01) and depression (r = -0.38,p < 0.01). Conclusion:The study highlights the significant impact of sleep patterns on academic performance and mental health among adolescents.Promoting healthy sleep habits is crucial for enhancing academic outcomes and mental well-being.These findings suggest the need for interventions that encourage adequate sleep among students to improve their academic performance and overall health.