Researchers from 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 on screens increases the risk of insomnia, loneliness has a much stronger 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 the students surveyed reported high levels of loneliness and were nearly twice as likely to experience clinically significant insomnia symptoms compared to their less-lonely peers.
Loneliness affects sleep by heightening stress sensitivity and fueling rumination, which can make falling or staying asleep difficult. Jessee Dietch, assistant professor at OSU and co-author of the study, noted,
“Insomnia is detrimental to the health of college students. It’s linked to higher stress, anxiety, and mood problems, and it can hurt academic performance.”
She added that college students are more likely to struggle with insomnia than their non-student peers, with rates as high as 18.5% globally.
The researchers recommend that students limit their screen use to reduce their risk of insomnia. However, they emphasize that universities should focus on addressing loneliness as a priority. “We encourage university administrators and counselors to prioritize loneliness before screen time when addressing insomnia,” Sy said. Building close friendships or romantic relationships can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness, improving sleep and overall well-being.
On the first season of MQ Open Mind, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig Perryman spoke to Dr Alexandra Pitman about loneliness, and the differences with social isolation. Learn more here.
