Research on freshman and sleeping habits: A text message-based sleep intervention.

OBJECTIVE

Lack of understanding regarding the function of sleep and lack of education regarding healthy sleep practices may hinder college students from getting sufficient quality sleep. The current study examines the effect of a text message based educational intervention aimed at improving sleep quality and sleep hygiene behaviors in freshman undergraduate college students.

PARTICIPANTS

135 undergraduate students were recruited fall of 2016.

METHODS

Three discussion groups were held to test and refine the text message content. Students were randomized into a three-group pretest-posttest experimental design. Participants completed measures of sleep quality, sleep hygiene, and sleep knowledge.

RESULTS

Data analysis indicated the intervention did not demonstrate significant differences between groups over time on sleep quality, sleep hygiene behaviors, and sleep knowledge.

CONCLUSION

More research is needed to understand how best to harness text messaging technology and sleep health education to promote healthy sleep behaviors in college students.