FACTORS AFFECTING THE SLEEP DEPRIVATION AS PERCEIVED BY THE SELECTED GRADE 11 STEM STUDENTS AT GENERAL DE JESUS COLLEGE AND ITS EFFECT ON THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Sleep deprivation is a condition in which an individual fails to obtain sufficient sleep. It is characterized by failure to achieve the optimal duration of sleep, sleep interruption, and difficulty falling asleep (Negussie et al., 2021). According to Nacino and Godfrey (2019), a student’s ability to think clearly and perform well academically can be negatively affected by various factors such as dizziness, distraction, delayed alertness, and other related conditions. However, despite the considerable number of studies conducted on sleep deprivation, there remains a lack of research focusing on the effects of insufficient sleep among students. With this, the researchers aimed to examine the factors affecting sleep deprivation as perceived by selected Grade 11 STEM students of General de Jesus College and its effect on their academic performance. This study employed a qualitative research approach, specifically a descriptive research design, to identify the factors affecting sleep deprivation as perceived by selected Grade 11 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students at General de Jesus College located in Vallarta Street, Poblacion, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. A total of fifteen (15) students were selected as participants through purposive sampling. Data were systematically gathered using semi-structured interviews supported by audio recordings. The findings indicated that seventeen-year-old female students with sleep deprivation in Grade 11 STEM classes typically fell within the range of five to seven hours of sleep per night. The study also revealed that students identified the following as the primary causes of their lack of sleep: use of gadgets, studying or reviewing, cramming, sleeping disorders, academic workload, and sleeping patterns. Furthermore, the results showed that sleep deprivation affected students’ academic performance through inattentiveness, migraines during class, and mental block. The findings also indicated that students employed various coping strategies to lessen the negative effects of sleep deprivation on academic performance. These coping strategies included drinking milk or water, reducing screen time, practicing time management, and going to bed early. The findings illustrate how selected Grade 11 STEM students at General de Jesus College in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija perceive sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation, characterized by difficulty falling asleep, sleep disruption, and failure to obtain the recommended amount of sleep, continues to affect individuals across all age groups. The results suggest that students may adopt several coping strategies recommended by the researchers to address sleep deprivation. These include time management, going to bed early, reducing screen time, and consuming water and milk. The study emphasizes the importance of these strategies in minimizing the negative effects of sleep deprivation on students’ academic performance.