Perceived stress and worldview influence sleep quality in Bolivian and United States university students

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated predictors of poor sleep quality among American and Bolivian students.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was designed and administered to undergraduate university students.

Setting and participants: Psychology classes from 2 public universities (Texas, USA, and Bolivia) were convenience sampled (n = 80 American students; 60 Bolivian students).

Measurements: We used a sleep quality index and the Perceived Stress Scale. We added questions concerning worldview, sleep hygiene, sleep deficiency, health behaviors, and demographics.

Results: Five variables predicted poor sleep quality: perceived stress, sleep hygiene, sleep deficiency, worldview, and site. Greater stress positively associated with poorer sleep in both cultures. Yet, Bolivian students reported significantly more stress than American students but experienced significantly better sleep quality. Worldview, a measure of optimism or pessimism about the world, negatively associated with sleep quality in both cultures.

Conclusion: Three variables that predict sleep quality (worldview, sleep hygiene, and sleep deficiency) did not differ significantly between countries. Only perceived stress differed by country but contrary to the predicted direction. Thus, this work reveals new avenues for future work to the investigation of sleep in different cultures. Lastly, we offer recommendations to ameliorate poor sleep in university students.

Keywords: Bolivia; College students; Culture; Sleep quality; Stress.