The effects of sleep quality, sleepiness, fatigue, and psychological resilience on attention performance

Introduction:
The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between sleep quality, sleepiness, fatigue, resilience, and attention parameters in a sample consisting of university students.

Material and methods:
The study involved 123 university students aged between 18 and 33 years. A sociodemographic data form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21), and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were administered to the participants. Attention assessment was conducted using the Cognitrone (COG), Signal Detection (SIGNAL), Inhibition (INHIB), and Perception and Attention Functions Battery, part of the computer-based Vienna Test System (VTS).

Results:
Out of all the participants, 77.2% were female, and 22.8% were male, with an average age of 21.53 (SD = 2.54) years. A positive correlation was found between COG-Corrects and PSQI scores, and COG-Incorrects and DASS-Stress. There was a negative correlation between SIGNAL-Corrects and FSS. No correlation was revealed among sleep quality, sleepiness, fatigue, resilience variables, and reaction inhibition or divided attention. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis indicated that attention scores were predicted only by sleep quality and fatigue severity.

Conclusions:
Based on the study’s findings, it is conceivable that situational factors such as sleep quality, sleepiness, and fatigue have a more significant impact on attention compared with constant variables such as depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience.