The Relation between Sleep Disorders and Academic Performance in Secondary School Students

Insufficient sleep، poor sleep quality، and sleepiness are common problems in children and adolescents. Such problems can affect learning، memory، and academic performance. No previous studies have assessed the relationship between sleep problems/habits and academic performance in Iranian secondary school students. Therefore، we surveyed a sample of secondary school students and their parents in Isfahan (Iran) to assess the relation between sleep problems/habits and academic performance. In this cross-sectional study، data was collected by a reliable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0. 87) and valid self-reporting questionnaire. Multi-stage cluster random sampling was used to select 110 secondary school students in Isfahan، Iran. Academic performance was assessed using the latest term evaluation report provided by the school. Students’ performance was stratified as excellent [grade point average (GPA) ≥ 17]، average (GPA = 15-17)، and poor (GPA < 15). The collected data was analyzed with SPSS20. Descriptive statistics (mean ± standard deviation)، independent t-test، chi-square test، and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data. There were 535 boys (48. 6%) and 565 girls (51. 4%) in this study. The mean age of students was 13. 26 ± 1. 09 years (range: 11-16 years). While 42. 3% of the students had excellent performance، 30. 1% and 27. 6% of them had average and poor performance، respectively. Academic performance of the students was significantly associated with their age، gender، and fathers and mothers’ education levels and jobs. It was evident that the presence of sleep problems، poor sleep habits، or shortened total sleep time affected the students’ academic performance. In other words، sleep problems and habits may negatively affect academic performance.