Sleep Deprivation and its Effect on Academic Performance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Sleep is a biological need and opportunity to develop different brain areas for better information processing during daytime, according to the Restoration Theory of Oswald (1996). However, many adolescents and early adults make sleep time their least priority in exchange of doing home and school tasks. As stated by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, sleep loss is recognized as a threat to Filipinos' mental health as it affects critical thinking, mood, memory, and cognitive skills. In line with this, this study aimed to establish the significant effect of sleep deprivation on academic performance.

METHODS

The researchers used descriptive-causal research design. Survey-questionnaires were answered by 131 Grade 12 students of Southville 1 Integrated National High School, S.Y. 2018-2019 selected using stratified random sampling. The questionnaire consists of two parts; level of sleep deprivation and level of academic performance. To measure sleep deprivation in terms of average sleep debt, cognitive performance lapses, and mood assessment, and academic performance in terms of written works, performance task, and quarterly assessment, weighted arithmetic mean was used and chi-square test was used to determine if there is a significant effect of sleep deprivation to academic performance.

RESULTS

Students sometimes experience sleep deprivation in terms of average sleep debt, cognitive performance lapses, and mood assessment. This implies that high school work load contributes to sleep deprivation as suggested by Bryan et. al., (2015). Moreover,respondents also exhibit mild memory deficit and focus disruption. Furthermore, in both written works and performance tasks, they gained satisfactory performance, while quarterly assessment was fairly satisfactory. They do seatwork independently and participate on group activities actively. Lastly, sleep deprivation in terms of average sleep debt and cognitive performance have significant effect on students' academic performance but not with mood assessment.

DISCUSSIONS

Sleep deprivation is moderately manifested through sleep debt, cognitive performance lapses and mood assessment through lacking focus, forgetfulness, and irritable mood. The students performed less satisfactory on their quarterly assessment in subjects that require higher understanding and focus due to lack of sleep. To address this issue, the researchers shall develop a Facebook page to give tips for better sleep and academic performance.