Impulsivity Mediates the Relationship between Sleep Quality and Interpersonal Functioning: A Cross-sectional Study in a Sample of University Students

Abstract

Background: Amid the current mental health pandemic, research continues to investigate potential contributors associated with increasing levels of negative mental health. Among such contributors is sleep, which is vital for physiological and psychological functioning with potential downstream behavioral consequences, including in relation to impulsivity and social functioning. Given the significant rates of poor sleep quality reported in the literature, our study sought to investigate the relationship between sleep quality, impulsivity and interpersonal functioning among university students. Methods: An anonymous online survey was administered to university students (Ages 18+; N=526; 33% male, 67% female) addressing demographics, sleep quality, impulsivity, and interpersonal functioning. Results: Our findings indicate a substantial proportion of students reporting poor sleep quality and impulsivity. Moreover, higher levels of impulsivity and lower interpersonal functioning were associated with poor sleep quality. Mediation analysis revealed a significant mediating role of attentional impulsivity in the relationship between sleep quality and interpersonal functioning. Conclusions: Repeated reports of significant levels of impulsivity underlying numerous psychiatric disorders, its prevalence socially, and the fundamental issue that impulsivity reflects (i.e., lack of self-control/self-discipline), suggests a necessity to reorient therapeutic efforts towards the root of the problem. Thus, efforts should seek to maximize preventative behaviors that build character/virtue and strengthen the individual (e.g., improving sleep quality and minimizing impulsivity), including through self-discipline and perseverance, in order to reduce negative outcomes (e.g., dysfunctional interpersonal functioning).