Rationale for Sleep Improvement Program for Students Research Paper

Total Length: 987 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 5

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Identification of the Problem

Among college students, only 30% report getting sufficient sleep to maintain optimal physical and cognitive functioning, and half of all college students report regular daytime sleepiness (Hershner & Chervin, 2014). The causes of sleep deprivation include stress and work overload, which may begin as early as high school. One study of almost 2000 adolescents revealed persistent health problems and sleep insufficiency, linked to overly early start times for school (Ming, Koransky, Kang, et al, 2011). Therefore, the overall prevalence of sleep deprivation is alarmingly high among adolescents and young adults.

Problem Statement

The consequences of sleep deprivation are dire. Poor academic performance and even academic failure are commonly reported consequences of sleep deprivation among both high school and college students (Hershner & Chervin, 2014; Ming, Koransky, Kang, et al, 2011). Lower grade point averages and poorer performance in school can cause long-term consequences for young adult career development and future prospects. Sleep deprivation has also been linked with impaired mood and other mental health issues (Hershner & Chervin, 2014). Great Britain’s National Health Services (2018) also cites evidence showing that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to long-term mental health issues including depression and anxiety. Not getting enough sleep can also cause other health problems. One study shows that among adolescents, insufficient sleep increases one’s risk for engaging in high risk behaviors including drug and alcohol use, fighting, and suicidal ideation (McKnight-Elly, Eaton, & Lowry, 2011).

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Beyond the immediate impacts on academic performance, sleep deprivation can also be physically dangerous. The most immediate effects of sleep deprivation in terms of health and safety are with impaired driving. Drowsy driving can lead to accidents and fatalities every bit as much as driving while intoxicated (The Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, n.d.; Hershner & Chervin, 2014; National Health Services, 2018). In the United States alone, drowsy driving causes “approximately 1 million crashes, 500,000 injuries, and 8,000 deaths each year in the U.S.,” (Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, n.d., p. 1).

Driving is not the only arena in which sleep deprivation can lead to fatalities. Insufficient sleep can cause accidents and hazards in the workplace, which is especially important for those who work in the medical profession. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School (n.d.), newly graduated medical interns “are often expected to work continuous shifts of 24 to 36 hours with little or no opportunity for sleep,” contributing to the almost 100,000 deaths per year that occur as the result of medical….....

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"Rationale For Sleep Improvement Program For Students" (2018, February 20) Retrieved July 9, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/rationale-sleep-improvement-program-students-2167025