Poor sleep quality and reduced immune function among college students: Perceived stress and depression as mediators

Abstract

Objectives

Sleep problems are highly prevalent among college students and are linked to a multitude of detrimental consequences, among which are heightened perceived stress and symptoms of depression. The present study investigated the effect of poor sleep quality on the immune function of college students. A serial mediation model was developed to test the prediction that perceived stress and depression sequentially mediate the relationship between poor sleep quality and reduced immune function among college students.

Participants

137 undergraduates were recruited from a large Midwestern university (103_Females, 34_Males; M_age = 19.47, S_Dage = ± 1.54).

Methods

Cross-sectional based online survey administered in Spring 2021.

Results

Analyses revealed a significant total effect of sleep quality on immune function. Perceived stress and depression symptoms serially mediated the relationship between sleep quality and immune function.

Conclusions

Results underscore the importance of college students’ sleep in relation to their mental health and subsequent immune function.

Keywords:

• College students
• depression
• immune function
• perceived stress
• sleep quality

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of United States and received approval from the Ball State University.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.