Prevalence of Insomnia and Its Psychosocial Correlates Among College Students in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of insomnia and its psychosocial correlates among college students in Hong Kong. Participants: A total of 529 Hong Kong college students participated in the study. Methods: Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire that included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Revised Life Orientation Test, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory, and questions about sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. A PSQI global score equal to or greater than 5 indicated insomnia. Results: Results indicated that 68.6% of the participants were insomniacs. Adjusted regression analyses revealed that optimism, stress, and depression significantly predicted insomnia (p < .01). Conclusions: These results suggest that insomnia is very common among Hong Kong college students and associated with other psychosocial factors. This study provides preliminary data on sleep quality and risk factors for insomnia, which may be used to guide sleep hygiene promotion and intervention among college students.

Keywords:

• Chinese
• college students
• insomnia
• psychosocial correlates

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Part of the data presented in this paper are based on the dissertation submitted by the first author (C. Y. Sing) under the supervision of the corresponding author (W. S. Wong) in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology degree in the Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong.

Notes

^a Junior college students were those enrolled in higher diploma or associate degree programs.

^b College students were those enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate programs.

*p < .05.

^a Derived from [(Total hour of sleep)/(wake up time − bed time) × 100%].

^b Noninsomniacs: PSQI Global score < 5.

^c Insomniacs: PSQI Global score ≥ 5.

**p < .01.

^a Noninsomniacs: PSQI Global score < 5.

^b Insomniacs: PSQI Global score ≥ 5.

^c Scores ranged from 0 to 24; higher scores indicate higher level of optimism.

^d Scores ranged from 0 to 40; higher scores indicate higher level of stress.

^e Scores ranged from 0 to 63; higher scores indicate higher level of depression.

^aJunior college students were those enrolled in higher diploma or associate degree programs.

^bCollege students were those enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate programs.

^cScores ranged from 0 to 24; higher scores indicate higher level of optimism.

^dScores ranged from 0 to 40; higher scores indicate higher level of stress.

^eScores ranged from 0 to 63; higher scores indicate higher level of depression.