Publication: Association between sleep quality and depression among undergraduate students at the health campus Universiti Sains Malaysia
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Date
2026-07
Authors
Hisham, Nurul Alwani Syamimi
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Abstract
Sleep quality is an important determinant of physical and psychological well-being. Poor sleep quality has been linked to various mental health problems, including depression, among undergraduate students. Undergraduate students, particularly those enrolled in health-related programmes, are exposed to academic demands, clinical demands and stressors that may negatively affect their sleep patterns and mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of sleep quality, determine the level of depression, and identify the association between sleep quality and depression among undergraduate students at the Health Campus, USM. A sample size of 370 students was calculated, and data were successfully collected from 296 participants. The collected data were analysed by SPSS version 29.0. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic characteristics, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics were used to determine the levels of sleep quality and depression, while the Chi-square test was used to examine the association between sleep quality and depression. The findings revealed that 185 (62.5%) participants had poor sleep quality, while 111 (37.5%) had good sleep quality. 226 (76.4%) participants were classified as normal, while 70 (23.6%) exhibited depressive symptoms. The Chi-square analysis demonstrated a statistically significant association between sleep quality and depression among undergraduate students (X2 = 29.583, p < 0.001). Poor sleep quality was prevalent among undergraduate students at the Health Campus, USM, and was significantly associated with depression. Therefore, these findings emphasise the importance of promoting healthy sleep practices and strengthening mental health support services within the university. Early identification and intervention for sleep-related problems may contribute to better mental health outcomes among undergraduate students.
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