A Thematic Analysis of How Postgraduate Students Perceive the Influence of Social Media Use on Their Sleep Quality

With the increasing popularity of social media use (SMU), numerous studies have investigated its effects on sleep quality. However, most of these studies have focused on adolescents and college students, leaving a gap in research concerning postgraduate students. Furthermore, the majority of studies have employed a quantitative approach, with few utilizing qualitative methods to provide an in-depth analysis of individuals' personal experiences. This study aimed to explore how postgraduate students perceive the impact of social media use on their sleep. Five current postgraduate students were recruited as participants. Data were collected through a focus group discussion format and analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis revealed one overarching theme: the consequences of social media addiction, along with three subthemes: the effect on falling asleep, perceptions of sleep quality, and the condition upon waking the next day. This study contributes to qualitative research on postgraduate students’ use of social media and their perceptions of sleep quality. The findings could be applied to help individuals use social media in a healthier manner and improve their subjective sleep quality.