The effect of individual parameters of mental health on the level of night sleep among female students

Abstract

Mental health significantly depends on the quality of sleep as one of the most important psychophysiological parameters of students. The research data were obtained in 2015-2021 in Chelyabinsk. The study involved female students of the Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service of South Ural State University (mean age 20.95±0.26 years). The sample consisted only of female students engaged in different sports and PE training activities 2 hours per week. Female students were divided into two subgroups with high and low levels of sleep with respect to certain mental health parameters. The first subgroup involved female students with high levels of sleep (n=147), the second - with low levels (n=72). Diagnostics of the quality of sleep and mental health components was carried out using a 10-point self-assessment scale. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of sports skills, sports experience, age, body length and body weight. Some mental health parameters affect the level of sleep among female students. The following parameters of mental health have a positive effect on the quality of sleep: mood stability, energy level, mental performance, communicative skills, assertiveness and the desire to engage in academic, sports, and other activities. Mental health parameters that have a negative impact on the level of sleep include increased excitement, emotional excitability, stressogenic factors, psychological stress. The data obtained should be considered as a pattern, which indicates the direction of psychological and pedagogical influences aimed at improving students’ sleep quality and mental health.