20th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
Don’t Cheat Your Sleep: What Are You Risking?
Alysia J. Hall*, Stellina M. Aubuchon, Shady B. Hawatmeh, and Brittany A. Brands
Dr. Roberta Donahue, Faculty Mentor
Most college students fail to obtain adequate sleep regularly. Recent studies reported that most Truman Students (50.7% of males and 54.1% of females) only obtain adequate rest three to five nights per week. This causes impairment while operating a motor vehicle (comparable to a 0.05% BAC), poor immune function, obesity, lower academic achievement, decreased ability to cope with stress and increased susceptibility to depression. In 2006 Truman’s Student Public Health Association and University Counseling Services instituted Sleep Awareness Week with the purpose of educating peers on the risks associated with lack of sleep. Methods included positioning cotton “sheep” with sleep facts throughout high traffic areas of campus, providing strategies to overcome insomnia, placing a bed on the quad, and distributing free sleep related items. Continued research will be used to further the efforts of Sleep Awareness Week in the years to come.
Keywords: Sleep, Students, Sleep deprivation
Topic(s):Health Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 53-3
Location: VH 1000
Time: 3:15 pm