Sleep quality and its correlates among medical undergraduates in Anhui Province: A cross-sectional study on academic stress, mental health, and lifestyle factors

This study investigates the relationship between sleep quality, study stress, and mental health among medical undergraduates in Anhui Province. Utilizing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), data from 550 students were analyzed. Findings reveal that heavy academic burdens, including high weekly course loads and examination stress, significantly impact sleep quality and mental health. Students attending 45–50 classes/week had a significantly higher PSQI score (5.41 ± 3.25) compared to those with lighter loads (e.g., 30–35 classes: 4.61 ± 2.75, p = 0.050; Table 8 ). Although no significant association was found between caffeine and alcohol consumption and mental health, lifestyle factors such as exercise frequency and interpersonal relationships showed notable effects. These results underline the need for targeted interventions, including stress management programs and healthy lifestyle promotion, to enhance student well-being.