THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACADEMIC STRESS AND SLEEP DISTURBANCES AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

Academic stress and sleep disturbances are two common mental health problems among university students and are characterized by a complex bidirectional relationship. Excessive academic pressure, performance demands, and psychosocial factors negatively affect sleep quality and psychological well-being. This phenomenon has increased in recent years due to rising academic workloads and lifestyle changes among students. This scoping review aims to map the scientific evidence on the relationship between academic stress and sleep disturbances among students in various higher education contexts. The study employed a scoping review approach based on the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Population, Concept, Context (PCC) framework. Literature searches were conducted in the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases to identify English-language primary research articles published between December 2019 and June 2025. A total of 14 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed thematically to identify relationship patterns, risk factors, and relevant intervention strategies. Findings indicate that high levels of academic stress are significantly associated with decreased sleep quality and duration. Factors such as academic overload, time pressure, and performance anxiety contribute to sleep disturbances, while protective factors include mindfulness practices, social support, adaptive coping strategies, and effective time management. Self-awareness based interventions and programs promoting academic balance have proven effective in reducing stress and improving students’ sleep quality.