A Cross-sectional Study of the Correlations of Sleep Quality, Anxiety, and Social Support with Academic Engagement: The Mediating Role of Mental Health

Background: Academic engagement is a significant social and health concern globally and in Iran. The present study examines the correlations of sleep quality, anxiety, and social support with academic engagement, exploring the potential statistical mediation of mental health among students in Zahedan. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the correlations among sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], anxiety [Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)], and social support [Zimet et al.’s Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)] in relation to academic engagement. The statistical population comprised students of public universities in Zahedan; 900 participants were selected through stratified sampling. Inclusion criteria were enrollment in a public university in Zahedan, informed consent, and complete questionnaire data. Data were gathered (April to July 2024) via standardized self-report instruments and analyzed in SPSS 18 and LISREL 8.8. Path analysis was applied to estimate standardized associations (direct and indirect) without inferring causality. Results: Participants were predominantly female (61.5%) and mostly aged 20 - 25 years. Sleep quality showed a significant negative direct correlation with academic engagement (β = -0.37, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.32) and no statistically significant indirect correlation via mental health (β = 0.04, P > 0.05). Social support demonstrated a significant positive direct correlation (β = 0.22, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.27) and a small positive indirect correlation through mental health (β = 0.0464, 95% CI 0.030 to 0.061). Anxiety was negatively correlated with engagement directly (β = -0.23, 95% CI -0.28 to -0.18) and indirectly (β = -0.0528, 95% CI -0.072 to -0.033) via its positive association with mental health (β = 0.33, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.37), while mental health itself showed a negative correlation with engagement (β = -0.16, 95% CI -0.21 to -0.11). Conclusions: The observed correlational pattern indicates that better sleep quality and stronger social support coexist with more favorable mental health and higher academic engagement, whereas higher anxiety co-occurs with lower engagement. Given the cross-sectional design and self-report measures, causal inferences are not warranted; longitudinal or interventional research is needed to clarify temporal order.