An Integrative Analysis of Behavioral, Psychological, and Smartphone Use Factors Associated With Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study of Saudi Undergraduate Students.

Sleep quality is a critical component of student well-being and academic performance. This study aimed to examine the association between demographic characteristics, health and mental behaviors, smartphone usage, and sleep quality among undergraduate students at Jazan University in Saudi Arabia. A...

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Published in:Inquiry (00469580) Vol. 63; pp. 1 - 11
Main Authors: Almalki, Manal Ali, Ahmed, Manal A., Alzahrani, Ali M., Mehmood, Asim, Felix, Holly C., Almalki, Raghad, Alhashemy, Bashair, Musawi, Hatun
Format: Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. 1/29/2026
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        atl: An Integrative Analysis of Behavioral, Psychological, and Smartphone Use Factors Associated With Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study of Saudi Undergraduate Students.
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          Almalki, Manal Ali
          Ahmed, Manal A.
          Alzahrani, Ali M.
          Mehmood, Asim
          Felix, Holly C.
          Almalki, Raghad
          Alhashemy, Bashair
          Musawi, Hatun
        affil:
          Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia
          Department of Health Administration and Hospitals, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
          Department of Health Policy and Management, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
      su:
        Competency assessment (Law)
        Cross-sectional method
        Caffeine
        Smartphones
        Health status indicators
        Exercise
        T-test (Statistics)
        Coffee
        Scientific observation
        Statistical sampling
        Smoking
        Parameters (Statistics)
        Multiple regression analysis
        Central nervous system stimulants
        Universities & colleges
        Psychological well-being
        Descriptive statistics
        Multivariate analysis
        Anxiety
        Screen time
        Mathematical statistics
        Sleep duration
        Health behavior
        Analysis of variance
        Food habits
        Sleep
        Sleep quality
        Psychology of college students
        Data analysis software
        Drinking behavior
        Physical activity
        Regression analysis
        Diet
        Energy drinks
        Saudi Arabia
      sug:
        subj:
          Saudi Arabia
          Competency assessment (Law)
          Cross-sectional method
          Caffeine
          Smartphones
          Health status indicators
          Exercise
          T-test (Statistics)
          Coffee
          Scientific observation
          Statistical sampling
          Smoking
          Parameters (Statistics)
          Multiple regression analysis
          Central nervous system stimulants
          Universities & colleges
          Psychological well-being
          Descriptive statistics
          Multivariate analysis
          Anxiety
          Screen time
          Mathematical statistics
          Sleep duration
          Health behavior
          Analysis of variance
          Food habits
          Sleep
          Sleep quality
          Psychology of college students
          Data analysis software
          Drinking behavior
          Physical activity
          Regression analysis
          Diet
          Energy drinks
      keyword:
        anxiety
        health behaviors
        sleep quality
        smartphone usage
        undergraduate students
      ab: Sleep quality is a critical component of student well-being and academic performance. This study aimed to examine the association between demographic characteristics, health and mental behaviors, smartphone usage, and sleep quality among undergraduate students at Jazan University in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted between April and June 2023. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The questionnaire included demographic data, health behaviors (exercise, diet, stimulant intake, smoking, qat use), anxiety levels, and smartphone usage patterns. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and multivariable linear regression. A total of 1564 students participated. Demographic variables were not significantly associated with sleep quality. However, poor sleep quality was significantly associated with several factors. Students who exercised less (mean PSQI = 8.19 vs 7.67; P =.003) or followed an unhealthy diet (8.10 vs 7.33; P =.001) reported worse sleep. High intake of stimulants, such as coffee (>3 times/day: β = 1.08, P =.021), tea, and soft drinks, was also linked to poorer sleep. Anxiety showed a clear dose-response effect, with mild, moderate, and severe anxiety associated with PSQI increases of 0.89, 2.27, and 3.43 points, respectively (all P <.001). Evening (β =.52, P =.016) and bedtime (β =.42, P =.029) smartphone use further predicted worse sleep quality, independent of total usage time. Sleep quality among undergraduate students is primarily influenced by modifiable lifestyle and psychological factors. Interventions promoting healthier routines, reducing stimulant intake, managing anxiety, and improving digital habits are essential to support student well-being.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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