Researchers at Oregon State University have found that loneliness is a bigger obstacle to college students getting a good night’s sleep than excessive screen time. Researchers found that while spending 8 to 10 hours a day in front of screens increases the risk of insomnia, loneliness has a much greater impact on sleep quality.
“For the students in our study, screen time was definitely associated with insomnia symptoms,”
explained John Sy, a graduate student at OSU. “But loneliness was a better predictor of insomnia.” About 35% of students surveyed reported high levels of loneliness and were almost twice as likely to experience clinically significant insomnia symptoms compared to their less lonely peers.
Loneliness affects sleep by increasing sensitivity to stress and fueling rumination, which can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Jessee Dietch, assistant professor at OSU and co-author of the study, noted:
“Insomnia is detrimental to the health of college students. It is linked to increased stress, anxiety, and mood problems, and can impair academic performance.”
It added that university students are more likely to suffer from insomnia than their non-student peers, with rates as high as 18.5% globally.
Researchers recommend that students limit screen use to reduce the risk of insomnia. However, they emphasize that universities should focus on addressing loneliness as a priority. “We encourage college administrators and counselors to prioritize loneliness over screen time when addressing insomnia,” Sy said. Building close friendships or romantic relationships can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness, improve sleep and overall well-being.
In the first series of MQ Open Mind, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig Perryman spoke to Dr Alexandra Pitman about loneliness and the differences from social isolation. Learn more here.
