The relationship between sleep quality and mental fatigue in schoolchildren

In the context of increasing academic workload and active digitalization of education, the problem of the relationship between sleep quality and mental fatigue among schoolchildren is becoming particularly relevant.

The aim of the study was to study the correlation between sleep quality and the level of mental fatigue in schoolchildren in grades 8–11, taking into account age and gender characteristics. The sample included 334 students (average age M=16.28; SD=1.14) from secondary schools in St. Petersburg. The research methods consisted of a set of standardized questionnaires: the author's questionnaire, the «Adolescent Sleep and Wakefulness Scale» (adapted by I. A. Kelmanson) and the questionnaire of acute mental fatigue (Leonova A. B.). Statistical analysis was carried out using Welch's t-test, Pearson's chi-square criterion and linear regression.

The results showed that only 32.4 % of schoolchildren meet the recommended sleep duration, while 21.6 % sleep less than 6 hours. The highest level of fatigue was recorded in girls (13.69±7.71 points versus 11.09±7.20 for boys) and 10th grade students. Significant negative correlations were found between sleep parameters (r up to –0.403) and mental fatigue, as well as a positive relationship between the latter and screen time (r=0.214).

Conclusions. The findings confirm the significant impact of sleep quality on the cognitive functions of schoolchildren. The data obtained have important practical significance for the development of preventive programs in educational institutions. The prospects of the study are related to an in-depth study of the mechanisms of the influence of digital technologies on sleep and the development of personalized approaches to the prevention of mental fatigue in adolescents.

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