Predictors of sleep difficulties in college students

Introduction College students are known for their variable sleep schedules. Such schedules, along with other common student practices are associated with poor sleep hygiene. The persistence of the precipitating stressor is one of the factors involved in the persistence of insomnia. Aims To examine the role of the perceived stress, perseverative thinking, strategies of cognitive emotion regulation and negative affect as predictors of sleep difficulties. Methods The sample comprises 549 college students. Measures PSS-10, PTQ, CERQ and POMS-58. Three questions were used to access difficulties in initiating sleep (DIS), maintaining sleep (DMS) and early morning wakening (EMA). A Sleep Difficulties Index (SDI) was calculated by summing DIS, DMS and EMA scores. Results In total sample, the multiple linear regression explained 27.7% of the SDI total variance ( R 2  = .277, F (9, 375) = 15,942, P B  = .246, P  = .0001), repetitive thought ( B  = .189, P  = .005), cognitive interference and unproductiveness ( B  = −.188, P  = .006), rumination ( B  = .130, P  = .044) and negative affect ( B  = .156, P  = .018). Conclusions Preventive interventions focused on predictor factors (perceived stress, perseverative thinking, rumination and negative affect) should be considered in order to promote better mental health in college students.