The Correlation of Sleep and Academic Performance: February 2021
The Correlation of Sleep and Academic Performance: February 2021
net/publication/349289369
CITATION READS
1 12,857
1 author:
SEE PROFILE
All content following this page was uploaded by Keanu Paul Sygaco on 06 May 2021.
Received: 18-01-2021 Abstract: The essence of sleep is to keep life in balance, ensuring that energy
Revised: 06-02-2021 used during day time will also be replenished by resting at night. However,
Accepted: 07-02-2021 when sleep is interrupted and unable to achieve a blissful rest, it may
Published: 13-02-2021 compromise the health and unfolding tasks that teenagers need to accomplish.
Young adults need at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Thus, grade 12 Science,
Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM) students
from Silliman University Senior High School in the Philippines answered the
online questionnaire on sleep deprivation, which correlates with sleep with
academic performance. For nearly eight hours, these respondents in school
were swamped with several academic tasks even after class hours leaving so
little time to sleep. While this study reveals that sleep deprivation may affect
academic performance, the study obtains 95% confidence that respondents
show a mean between 6.85 hours and 7.40 hours 6. This indicates the
respondents may occasionally lack 1 to 2 hours of sleep from the required
average of 8 to 10 hours of rest. Also, it illustrates no linear correlation
between the number of hours of sleep and the general average. This further
demonstrates that students can sacrifice a portion of their sleep to have their
desired grades and be accustomed to the lack of sleep and difficult academic
tasks. Aside from that, 17 respondents are not sleep deprived. At the same
time, 70% have partial sleep deprivation where most of their time is spent
studying for exams, doing school projects, using social media, and video
gaming. The top three outcomes of sleep deprivation are exhaustion, fatigue,
and pessimism and succeeded by health risks, as well as a decline in thinking.
Thus, to minimize having debt in sleep is to have time management, establish
a comfortable sleeping environment, and less time on social media. The study
concludes that there is no correlation between sleep and academic
performance.
Keywords: Sleep, Sleep Deprivation, Academic Performance
There are so many negative outcomes day activities, particularly performance in school.
when teenagers do not get the required amount of This includes off-task behavior, drowsiness,
sleep. Thus, they must be aware of the irritability, and lack of focus (Edwards, 2008). This
consequences and understand the dangers they are is further verified in a study by Stanford that the
facing (Anna S. Urrila et al., 2017; Ahmed S consequences of sleep deprivation include lack of
BaHammam et al., 2012). concentration, poor grades, anxiety, depression
(Richter, 2015).
Peri (2014) narrates that the brain events
known as sharp wave ripples are linked to the According to the Väsykysely research in
consolidating memory. The ripples often pass Finland by Prisma Studio and University of
acquired data from the hippocampus to the brain's Helsinki 66% of applicants experienced morning
neocortex, where long-term memories are tiredness and 4% felt energized. The same test
processed. Mostly during the deepest stages of result from the Väsykysely research parallels the
sleep, sharp wave ripples occur. Consequently, findings of an earlier survey from the Finnish
interpretation of events and judgements is Institute of Occupational Health (Merenheimo,
affected. It is said that sleep-deprived individuals 2018).
are prone to poor judgments.
Meanwhile, it is believed that people who
In the study, Sleep and academic sleep fewer than seven hours become obese and
performance: considering amount, quality and overweight. Insufficient sleep affects the appetite,
timing by Angela Gomez Fonseca and Lisa Genzel where ghrelin and leptin tend to be affected. Likely,
(2020), sleep control is a mixture of internal clocks maintaining or losing weight is best achieved when
and external regulators, as well as the general people achieve a regular sleeping habit. Or when
sleep need for homeostatic pressure. Both forces people take a nap, they become smarter because it
are in harmony in optimal conditions, allowing the refreshes the body. A study of 24,000 Greek adults
person to do the right thing at the right time showed that people who napped several times a
(Fonseca & Genzel, 2020). week had a lower risk of dying from heart disease
(Stibich, 2018).
Medic et al., (2017) reported that in Short-
and long-term health consequences of sleep Another drawback of being sleep-deprived
disruption that long-term effects of sleep is experiencing, in severe cases, health risks such
deprivation may hamper the health, which will as cardiovascular diseases, which range from
result in weight issues, hypertension, having an irregular heartbeat, heart attack, heart
cardiovascular problems, metabolic syndrome, failure, stroke, and diabetes. On the other hand,
diabetes as well as colorectal cancer. This may lead sleep deprivation and depression go hand in hand
to death, especially with men who have sleep since the loss of sleep triggers depression, while
disturbances, while children and teenagers may when one is depressed may unlikely fall asleep.
suffer from gastrointestinal problems. Hence, it is Accordingly, having less time to sleep based from
best to optimize sleep and take an earlier the Whitehall II study revealed that 10,000 British
precaution when experiencing sleep loss. civil servants who had only less than 5 to 7 hours
of sleep died of cardiovascular disease. Aside from
While inadequate sleep declines vigilance this, teenagers may develop yellow skin and
and weakens interest, that results in a reduction in swollen eyes when they have enough sleep barely.
cognitive processing. The deficiency of sleep The constant lack of sleep will cause “lackluster
inhibits the function of the brain structures, which skin, fine lines” and dark circles under the eyes.
is perilous to rational thinking (Zeek et al., 2015). The stress hormone called cortisol is released,
Prof. Amy Johnson (2005) from Grobstein, in her which affects the skin's texture (Peri, 2014).
article, Sleep Deprivation and Effects on Everyday
Life, shares that when an individual is tired and In terms of academic performance, when
fatigued, it causes pessimism, sadness, stress, and people are busy cramming and not sleeping, the
anger (Johnson, 2005). important information they learnt and thought
they had memorized basically slips out of their
The lack of sleep negatively impacts the brain, and they’ll have trouble recalling them the
following day. Aside from that students who do not 1.1. Significance of the Study
sleep or wake up at consistent times daily were
The results of the study will be of great
more likely to have lower grades. Differences
benefit to the following:
between regular and irregular students include
significant differences in grade point averages. Students. This study benefits Senior High
Students with irregular sleep patterns were given STEAM grade 12 students enrolled at Silliman
lower scores close to zero, while the regular University who are experiencing sleep deprivation.
sleepers were given higher scores close to 100 This research will change the students' perspective
(Knight, 2017). so that both academic performance and their
health will not be affected. This study will detail
Meanwhile, stress is a contributing factor
the cause and effect of sleeplessness on how it
to sleeplessness, while others can be credited to
takes a toll on their health, day-to-day activities,
“early school and work hours”, the absence of
and school performance.
exercise, and accompanied by bedtime rituals that
would be altered. In such a case, students express Teachers. Meanwhile, this research study
that sleep is needed for them to avoid being tired will also change the perspective of teachers
and do their tasks in school effectively, as especially, in giving assignments, projects, and
concentration is compromise (Merenheimo, 2018). exams. Additionally, this research will enumerate
the negative impacts of sleep deprivation of which
Most often, the cognitive ability becomes teachers will take notice. Other similar research
insufficient when students sleep less than seven studies related to sleep deprivation towards grade
hours a day (Zeek et al., 2015). In teenagers and 12 and college courses in this university and other
young adults who stay up late but are limited by
schools may conduct this study and enrich the
rigid morning schedules, sleep inconsistency tends
given results.
to be highest. In college, adolescents who
experience more significant sleep variability
perform worse (Okano et al., 2019). 1.2 Scope and Limitations of the Study
This research covers only Grade 12
Nasim et al., (2018) reported that near one- students who are taking STEAM at Silliman
half of teenagers suffer from sleep deprivation University Senior High and does not include other
during weekdays and three-fourths are not feeling grade levels in the university and other schools. It
fresh in the morning. The researchers discovered will solely focus on the number of hours of sleep
that regular day-time napping observes within the and the previous General Average of the first
week. The number of biological, demographic, semester and the factors and negative impacts of
lifestyle, and environmental factors are notably sleep deprivation. This study does not intend to
related to sleep deprivation in teenagers from
entirely alter the status quo of the educational
Saudi Arabia. Given the health, academic, and
system in Silliman University. However, it can be a
societal impact of sleep deprivation, there should
basis for change if the results of the information
be preventive approaches. Delaying the time when
gathered yield significantly negative results from
school should start in the morning and sleep
the respondents.
hygiene behaviors encourages teenage and public
responsiveness of the importance of sleep and
consequences of sleep deprivation. 2. Methodology
This study aims to find a significant
Likewise, understanding the underlying
difference between the academic performance of
factors that causes of sleep deprivation will
sleep-deprived and the academic performance of
provide a solution on which parts of a student’s
those who received enough sleep for grade 12
daily routine should be changed. Knowing the
STEAM students of Silliman University.
consequences of sleep deprivation may compel
Furthermore, it explored the sleeping patterns and
teenagers to always have adequate sleep despite
the factors of sleep deprivation and its negative
their busy schedule.
effects.
2.1 Research Design students. There were twenty-five male and twenty-
This research was quantitative in nature. It five female students; at least two respondents from
was a case-control study since it used statistical each section were selected since there were 17
methods such as correlation and regression, mean sections in total. The researcher acquired a list of
and frequency, estimation of parameters, and all students who were currently enrolled in STEAM
hypothesis testing to evaluate the strength of the from the Silliman University Senior Highschool
relationship between the number of hours of sleep Office. After that, the researcher selected the
and the student’s previous general average. This respondents from the given list. The sampling
study used the same respondents as well as the technique used was cluster sampling with a
results throughout the study. combination of simple random sampling. It
involved cluster sampling since it required dividing
2.2 Research Environment the total population into sections. From the
sections, simple random sampling decided the
This research was conducted at Silliman respondents. The sample size of the survey
University Senior High School, Dumaguete City respondents was the most ideal since it provided
since the researcher knew the target population. more accurate results and minimized the margin of
Meanwhile, it was convenient for the researcher, as error.
well as, the respondents since the survey was
conducted through Facebook Messenger. This 2.5 Procedure for Data Collection
ensured that the data would not be invalid and
error would be minimized and a fast response rate. In order to collect data, the online survey
was sent to the randomly selected male or female
2.3 Research Instruments respondents from each section of grade 12 STEAM
students of Silliman University Senior High School
An online research survey was used as an during their free time to ensure their availability.
instrument to elicit relevant information They were given an online survey questionnaire to
concerning this study. It would be the most ideal answer using Facebook Messenger.
instrument to gather data since the research dealt
with quantitative data. This was designed to find 2.6 Statistical Test
out the level of sleep deprivation among the
respondents and its negative effects. Meanwhile, Mean and frequency were the basis of the
this method worked best since most students used online-based research survey which was
internet connection and Facebook Messenger. It documented. Meanwhile, the number of hours of
was accessible to most students in senior high sleep, as well as the general average, was
school. It eliminated room for error since these compared using correlation in statistics.
students would most likely answer the survey Estimation of parameters would be used to
during their free time, they would feel relax or at determine the mean hours of sleep. Additionally,
ease yielding more accurate results. It was hypothesis testing would determine if the number
significantly better than the paper-based survey of hours of sleep was between 7 to 8 hours of
because the respondents would answer the survey sleep. It tested if the students were sleep deprived
either on the spot or for a limited time. Whereas in or not. The results of the survey analyzed through
the online survey, the respondents could answer it a chart of the most frequent answers of the study.
anytime and could give time to thoroughly answer
and assess each question. 2.7 Ethical Consideration
The responses benefited this research and
2.4 Research Respondents would be treated with respect and confidentiality.
The respondents of this research were a After the study was conducted, the result of the
critical sample of 50 grade 12 senior high school survey would not be shared publicly and would
students from Silliman University who were taking remain in only Google Drive. This research was
Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and anchored how many Grade 12 STEAM Students of
Mathematics (STEAM) as their academic strand. Silliman University were sleep-deprived in a given
The total population of the strand was 643 sample size. This research determined the factors
that led the respondents to be sleep-deprived. It population may occasionally lack 1 to 2 hours of
distinguished the significant difference between sleep from the required average of 8 to 10 hours of
the academic performance of sleep-deprived sleep. This scenario illustrates that despite the
individuals compared to the individuals who academic tasks being handed into the students,
received enough sleep. Meanwhile, it identified the they have time management and may work in
negative effects of sleep deprivation towards teams and groups to complete the academic
students’ health, day to day activities, and requirements and not hampering the students’
academic performance. And lastly, this study sleeping time. According to Graven (2013)
wished to find the link between gender with sleep research, Teens need more sleep, but don’t sleep
deprivation and academic performance. The enough with 6.5 hours of sleep that most teenagers
respondents were given the free choice to answer have during weekdays.
the survey and were free to refuse anytime without
Table 2 shows that there is sufficient
negative consequences.
evidence to suggest that the mean hours of sleep
for male and female SHS students is not 9 hours
3. Results and Discussion and thus, indicates they are sleep deprived. As
The results of the online survey have been shown in A study about students’ sleeping habits by
analyzed using estimation of parameters, Henna Merenheimo (2018), it is being observed
hypothesis testing, correlation and regression, or that the average amount of sleep of teenagers
mean and frequency. These are presented through during the week is 4-5 hours every night.
tables which includes formulas and solutions as Meanwhile, the San Diego State University (2017)
well as charts. Meanwhile, these analyses are also reports that in 2015, 40% of teenagers sleep less
correlated with other studies so that it will validate than seven hours each night more than in 1991
the results. while 17% are sleep deprived in 2009. About 50%
of teenagers who spend online have difficulty
Table 1. Estimation of Parameters of The
sleeping than those who use the internet for only
Number of Hours of Sleep
one hour.
GIVEN: Table 3 indicates there is insufficient
Mean: 7.12 hours evidence to suggest that there is a linear
correlation between the number of hours of sleep
Standard Deviation: 0.91 hours
and the general average of SHS Students. This
Sample Size: n=50 means that sleep does not affect academic
𝑠 performance in school. According to Knight (2017),
FORMULA: X- z 𝛼/2, 𝑣 < 𝜇 < X + z 𝛼/2, 𝑣
𝑠
√𝑛 the lack of sleep should have resulted to poor
√𝑛
academic performance. Tables 1 and 2 show that
students are partially sleep deprived, however the
COMPUTATION:
results of table 3 do not match with the impacts of
𝛼 = 1-0.95 = 0.05 sleep deprivation. It is inferred that these students
𝛼 are accustomed to partial sleep deprivation and
= 0.025
2 are capable of handling their academic tasks.
z 0.025= 1.96 Figure 1 shows that in the given sample size of 50
𝑠 𝑠 student, 70% of them are more likely to have
X- z 𝛼/2, 𝑣 < 𝜇 < X + z 𝛼/2, 𝑣 Partial Sleep Deprivation since most of the
√𝑛 √𝑛
0.91 0.91 activities are academic related that delay their
7.12-(1.96)( )<𝜇< 7.12+(1.96) ( ) ability to sleep. The next level is short-term sleep
√50 √50
6.85 hours <𝜇<7.40 hours deprivation (6%) which is a kind of sleep debt with
no sleep less than or equal to 45 hours. Lastly,
Table 1 shows that the respondents have long-term sleep deprivation is (2%) which is
95% confidence that the mean is between 6.85 sleeplessness of more than 45 hours (Lowry et al.,
hours and 7.40 hours if both genders were taken 2010).
into consideration. This indicates that the
-1.96 1.96
Computation:
𝑋 − µ 7.12 − 9
𝑧= 𝜎 = 0.91
√𝑛 √50
z = - 14.61
Decision: Reject H0
Table 3. The Linear Correlation of the Hours of Sleep and General Average
HYPOTHESIS:
• Null Hypothesis: Ho: p=0
• Alternative Hypothesis: Ha: p≠0
LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE:
α = 0.01
CRITICAL REGION: ±0.361
COMPUTATION:
r= -0.206259048
DECISION: Accept HO
Based from the Figure 2, students Figure 3 shows the majority of respondents
bombarded with so many academics and projects (72%) are engaged with social media during
which is #1 in the rank of factors affecting sleep weekends. Meanwhile, 66% of these respondents
debt, showing (84.2%). It is followed by 82% of are undergoing project making. Then the third
exams and then succeeded by the use of social category is playing video games (38%). These
media with (62%) resulting to why Silliman senior result to stress and trouble sleeping (36%).
high students stay late at night. Thus, stress (38%) Students that study for their exams comprise 32%
is the result of accomplishing projects and from the 50 respondents. At times, students will
preparing for exams rank fourth in the scale of escape from it through drinking alcohol (14%),
sleeplessness. Students also complain of having drinking caffeine (12%), or partying (10%). There
trouble sleeping with 28% and then followed by is no report of taking drugs. According to Megan
video gaming (20%), drinking coffee (14%), Lowry, Kayla Dean, and Keith Manders (2010),
drinking alcohol (4%), and partying (2%) was the several factors may provide to the disturbance of
least selected. No students acknowledge of taking sleep habits. “Late night studying, all-nighters,
drugs. parties, social obligations, work, and alcohol
and/or drug abuse all likely play a role”.
Figure 4 shows the negative outcomes of into consideration. This indicates that the
sleep deprivation, where mostly 84% of the population may occasionally lack 1 to 2 hours of
respondents believe that major result of sleep from the required average of 8 to 10 hours of
sleeplessness is exhaustion, fatigue, and sleep. When combined, the results yield to that
pessimism. This is noted in the research of Johnson they are sleep deprived. Meanwhile, there is no
(2005) where individual tiredness and fatigue linear correlation between the number of hours of
which result to pessimism, sadness, stress, and sleep and the general average among the
anger become the common symptoms of sleep respondents.
debt. This is succeeded by health risks (62%) and
Now based from the study, in a given
is reflected by irregular heartbeat, heart disease,
sample size of 50 respondents, only 34% are not
heart attack, heart failure, stroke, diabetes are the
sleep deprived. It is combined with 70% of
ultimate health risks that a person faces when
respondents having partial sleep deprivation
sleep deprived. Depression is one of the end results
where most of their time are doing school projects,
when people fail to achieve a regular sleep (Peri,
making projects, and using social media on
2014). On the other hand, third factor it declines
weekdays. While the factors affecting their grades
thinking (60%) as well as it results to poor
and sleep on weekends include using social media,
judgment (54%) as mentioned by Camille Peri
making projects, and playing video gaming.
(2014) who says that constant sleeplessness
results to poor judgment and reduction in The top three outcomes of sleep
cognitive processing as reported by Zeek et al., deprivation in the survey are exhaustion, fatigue,
(2015). It is also followed by poor academic and pessimism and succeeded by health risks, as
performance with 30% where school performance well as decline in thinking. Thus, to minimize
is also affected which includes off-task behavior, having debt in sleep is to have time management,
drowsiness, irritability, and lack of focus (Edwards, establish a comfortable sleeping environment, and
2008). doing less of social media.
Table 5 describes that majority of the
respondents have time management (88%) and 5. Conclusion
have established a comfortable sleeping The Silliman University Senior High School
environment (52%) as well as doing less use of students regardless of the drowning projects,
social media (46%). Students feel relaxed by exams, and the influence of social media are
listening to soothing music (40%). There is a 22% partially sleep deprived even though they are
of doing less time in video gaming, drinking aware of the consequences of sleep loss. However,
caffeine moderately (14%) and a tie-up of 8% the lack of correlation of sleep and general average
setting a curfew during parties and avoiding drugs. show that students can get away sacrificing a
And the least selected is drinking alcohol portion of their sleep to have their desired grades.
moderately (6%). The same choices have been It also shows that the students are accustomed to
included in many researches but what is sleep deprivation and the school’s curriculum.
emphasized is preparation when heading to sleep
such as going to bed early to regulate enough sleep, Recommendations
less use of electronic gadgets such as smartphones,
computers, and televisions prior to sleep, and To the future researchers who will conduct
avoiding the use of bright light an hour before this research, it is ideal to increase the population
sleep. It is also advisable to reduce stress before size and to include other STEAM tracks from
closing the eyes and setting the appropriate room different schools in Dumaguete City should be
temperature (Aemmi et al., 2020). taken into consideration. This will help solidify the
results of this research as well as eliminate any
ambiguities in the results. Aside from that,
4. Summary conducting interviews using a qualitative
The research is 95% confident that the perspective in this research to analyze sleep
mean of the respondent’s sleep is between 6.85 deprivation will enrich the results of the
hours and 7.40 hours when both genders are taken respondents.
References
Aemmi, S., Mohammad, E., Heidarian-Miri, H., Fereidooni-Moghadam, M., Boostani, H., & Zarea, K. (2020). The
effectiveness of bright light exposure in shift-worker nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis,
Sleep Science, 13(2);145-151. [Link]
Ahmed S BaHammam, Abdulrahman M Alaseem, Abdulmajeed A Alzakri, Aljohara S Almeneessier and Munir
M Sharif, (2012) The relationship between sleep and wake habits and academic performance in
medical students: a cross-sectional study, BMC Medical Education, 12:61.
[Link]
Angela Gomez Fonseca, Lisa Genzel, (2020). Sleep and academic performance: considering amount, quality
and timing, Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 33; 65-71.
[Link]
Anna S. Urrila, Eric Artiges, Jessica Massicotte, Ruben Miranda, Hélène Vulser, Pauline Bézivin-Frere, Winok
Lapidaire, Hervé Lemaître, Jani Penttilä, Patricia J. Conrod, Hugh Garavan, Marie-Laure Paillère
Martinot, Jean-Luc Martinot & The IMAGEN consortium, Sleep habits, academic performance, and the
adolescent brain structure, Scintific Report 7, 41678 (2017). [Link]
Edwards, J.P., (2008). Sleep Habits and Academic Performance, Auburn University, Ph.D Thesis, Retrieved
from [Link] (Accessed on November 2020)
Graven, A. R. (2013, May). Teens need more sleep, but don't sleep enough. Retrieved from Science Norway:
[Link]
sleep-enough/1385740 (Accessed on November 2020)
Johnson, A. (2005, February 22). Sleep Deprivation and Effects on Everyday Life. Retrieved from
[Link] (Accessed on November 2020)
Knight, V. (2017, June 13). Study links college students' grades to sleep schedules. Retrieved from CNN
Philippines: [Link]
[Link] (Accessed on November 2020)
Lowry, M., Dean, K., Manders, K., (2010), The link between sleep quantity and academic performance for the
college student, Sentience, 3:16-9
Medic, G., Willie, M., & Hemels, M., (2017). Short-and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption,
Nature and Science of Sleep, 151-161. [Link]
Megan L. Zeek, Matthew J. Savoie, Matthew Song, Leanna M. Kennemur, Jingjing Qian, Paul W. Jungnickel, and
Salisa C. Westrick (2015), Sleep Duration and Academic Performance Among Student Pharmacists.
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Educatioon, 79(5), 1-6. [Link]
Merenheimo, H. (2018). A Study About Students' Sleeping Habits. Bachelor’s thesis, School of Health Care
and Social Services: Lapland University of Applied Sciences. Retrieved from
[Link]
%[Link]?sequence=1&isAllowed=y (Accessed on November 2020)
Nasim, M., Saade, M., & AlBuhairan, F., (2019). Sleep deprivation: prevalence and associated factors among
adolescents in Saudi Arabia, Sleep Medicine, 53, 165-171.
[Link]
Okano, K., Kaczmarzyk, J. R., Dave, N., Gabrieli, J. E., & Grossman, J. C. (2019). Sleep quality, duration, and
consistency are associated with better academic performance in college students. NPJ Science of
Learning, 4(16), 1-4. [Link]
Peri, C. (2014, February 13). 10 Things to Hate About Sleep Loss. Retrieved from WebMD:
[Link] (Accessed on
November 2020)
Richter, R. (2015, October 8). Stanford Medicine. Retrieved from Among teens, sleep deprivation an
epidemic: [Link]
[Link] (Accessed on November 2020)
San Diego State University. (2017). More teens than ever aren't getting enough sleep. Science Daily.
Retrieved from [Link] (Accessed on
November 2020)
Stibich, M. (2019, November 21). 10 Benefits of a good night’s sleep. (I. Opole, Editor) Retrieved from Very
Well Health: [Link]
(Accessed on November 2020)
Acknowledgments: NIL
Funding: NIL