The Relationship Between Screen Time, Sleep Quality and Stress Levels among College Students

This research explores how screen exposure correlates with sleep disturbances and heightened stress levels in college students aged 18 to 24. Utilizing a quantitative, cross-sectional methodology, responses were gathered from 200 students through structured self-report questionnaires that included demographic details, daily screen usage, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive association between screen use and stress levels (r = 0.612, p < 0.01) and an inverse relationship with sleep quality (r = -0.612, p < 0.01). Regression findings indicated that both screen duration (β = -0.270) and academic demands (β = -0.213) significantly impacted sleep quality, explaining 58.5% of its variability (R² = 0.585). Moreover, ANOVA results supported a significant difference in stress levels among distinct screen time brackets (F = 5.42, p = 0.005). The findings emphasize the detrimental consequences of excessive screen exposure on student well-being, urging the implementation of digital wellness strategies and improved sleep hygiene education.