A Mixed-Methods, Multimedia Pilot Study to Investigate Sleep Irregularity Determinants Among Undergraduate Students

Purpose: To pilot a novel approach investigating the interplay of social and institutional determinants influencing university undergraduate student sleep patterns. Design: A two-part, three-phase mixed-methods approach. Setting: A mid-size US university conducted in spring and fall 2020. Participants: 191 undergraduate students (69 first-years, 43 second-years, 48 third-years, 31 fourth-years). Method: For Part A, participants texted their activities and emotions in real time, producing a data-rich, weeklong diary of comprehensive activity logs, emoticons, multimedia submissions, and juxtapositions of ideal vs real schedules. Semi-structured contextual interviews were also conducted. For Part B, a one-time survey examined Part A insights across all class years. These diverse datasets were triangulated using thematic, comparative, and content analyses through MAXQDA software and visual mapping methods. Results: Three preliminary themes were identified as encouraging an irregular sleep schedule: a prevailing academic ethos emphasizing busyness, time management challenges, and the rhythm of institutional schedules and deadlines. An overarching theme suggests that perceptions of peer sleep habits and academic prioritization above all else could be influential across factors. Conclusion: This pilot study indicates that sleep regularity among undergraduates is potentially shaped by individual choices combined with broader institutional paradigms. While it is limited by its exploratory nature, timing, and small sample size, the results highlight the promise of this methodology for more extensive studies and suggest that future interventions should emphasize systemic changes that prioritize sleep.