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Horizon ISSN: 3060-5261 Impact faktor: 9.9
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THE IMPACT OF INSOMNIA ON THE MENTAL AND
EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS
Ibrohimova Dilrabo Ibrohim qizi student of
Tashkent Medical Academy
General medicine, 5th year student
Annotation:
Sleep disorders can have a significant impact on a person's overall
health and well-being. As future doctors, it is important to investigate sleep issues
in order to better understand how they affect our ability to provide quality care for
patients. This information could also be used to improve patient treatment and ensure
patient safety. Sleep deprivation can lead to negative effects on doctors' cognitive
function, decision-making abilities, and increased risk of burnout. By addressing
insomnia in health care professionals, we can prevent burnout and promote well-
being among doctors, leading to reduced errors and improved patient outcomes.
Keywords:
medical
students, insomnia, academic performance, psychological
disorders, productivity, difficulty falling asleep, memory, concentration.
Аннотация:
Нарушения сна, особенно бессонница, значительно влияют
на физическое и психологическое здоровье студентов, особенно обучающихся
на медицинских факультетах. Медицинские студенты часто сталкиваются с
высоким учебным стрессом, длительными занятиями и нерегулярным
графиком, что способствует хроническим нарушениям сна. В данной статье
рассматривается распространенность и последствия бессонницы среди
студентов Ташкентской медицинской академии. Полученные данные
демонстрируют, что нарушения сна негативно сказываются на памяти,
концентрации внимания и эмоциональном состоянии. Подчеркивается
необходимость внедрения институциональных мер по улучшению гигиены
сна и предоставлению психологической поддержки в медицинском
образовании.
J
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Scientific
Horizon ISSN: 3060-5261 Impact faktor: 9.9
Volume 1, Issue 3, Series C 2025
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Ключевые
слова:
студенты-медики,
бессонница,
когнитивные
функции,
академическая
успеваемость,
психологический стресс, гигиена сна, эмоциональная
регуляция, выгорание
Annotatsiya:
Uyqu buzilishlari, ayniqsa uyqusizlik (insomniya), tibbiyot
yo‘nalishida tahsil olayotgan talabalarning jismoniy va psixologik salomatligiga
jiddiy ta’sir ko‘rsatadi. Tibbiyot talabalari yuqori darajadagi o‘quv bosimi, uzoq dars
vaqtlar va tartibsiz rejim tufayli surunkali uyqu muammolariga duch kelishadi.
Ushbu maqolada Toshkent tibbiyot akademiyasi talabalarida insomniya tarqalishi va
uning oqibatlari tahlil qilinadi. Tadqiqot natijalari yomon uyqu sifatining xotira,
diqqat va emotsional holatga salbiy ta’sirini ko‘rsatadi. Tibbiy ta’limda uyqu
gigiyenasini targ‘ib qilish va psixologik qo‘llab-quvvatlashni yo‘lga qo‘yish
muhimligi ta’kidlanadi.
Kalit so‘zlar:
tibbiyot talabalari, insomniya, kognitiv funksiyalar, o‘quv
samaradorligi, psixologik zo‘riqish, uyqu gigiyenasi, hissiy regulyatsiya, charchoq
INTRODUCTION
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulties falling asleep,
maintaining sleep, or experiencing poor quality sleep. It can be caused by various
factors, including environmental, medical, psychological, and mental conditions.
Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining brain function as it helps brain cells
communicate with each other and remove toxins through the glymphatic system
during slow-wave sleep. Recent studies have suggested that sleep deprivation
disrupts brain function and can lead to disruptions in biological rhythms, which can
slow down the healing process.
Gumustekin et al. have found that sleep deprivation may slow down wound
healing. Short sleep duration in adolescents can have negative physical,
neurological, and psychological consequences.
[1]
A study among medical students
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at the Tashkent Medical Academy found that 38% of students slept
after midnight and 55% had an average sleep duration of 6 hours or
less per night during clinical training.Due to poor sleep quality,
approximately 52% of participants experienced difficulties
maintaining wakefulness during lectures and 25% reported experiencing insomnia
symptoms. Medical students often reduce their sleep in order to adapt to the demands
of their workload and the stress of studying. They may prioritize academic pursuits
over sleep, leading to reduced sleep hours in order to increase study time,
particularly in the lead-up to exams. Insomnia can have a significant impact on
academic performance and can lead to psychological issues.
It is crucial to address insomnia in order to improve students' health and
academic success. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of insomnia
among medical students and to investigate the psychoemotional effects associated
with difficulties in memory and concentration.
MATERIALS AND METHODS.
This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at Tashkent Medical
Academy in 2024. A total of 379 sixth-year medical students, aged between 16 and
25 years, were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were
collected via structured self-administered questionnaires assessing sleep habits,
insomnia symptoms, and psychological well-being.
The questionnaire contained both closed- and open-ended questions and
included the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) as a standardized metric. Socio-
demographic data were recorded, alongside questions pertaining to sleep onset
latency, number of nocturnal awakenings, duration of sleep, daytime sleepiness,
napping behavior, use of alarm clocks, and subjective sleep satisfaction. Participants
also rated their concentration, memory function, and emotional stability relative to
their sleep quality.
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Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics
were used to report frequencies and percentages. Associations
between sleep disturbances and cognitive-emotional variables were
assessed using chi-square tests and logistic regression models.
RESULTS.
The questionnaire included socio-demographic data about the participants as
well as questions regarding insomnia and anxiety.They are young adults between the
ages of 16 and 25, and come from the younger generation, with approximately 66%
being female and the remainder being male. This is evident from the survey findings.
It emerges that approximately 25% of the students experience difficulty sleeping
after going to bed.
When asked about taking naps during the day in order to refresh, approximately
65% indicated that it depends on their schedule, approximately 6% stated that they
always take naps, and approximately 29% responded that they do not nap during the
daytime.
Regarding waking up without an alarm clock, approximately 40% stated that
this occurs sometimes and approximately 44% stated that it always occurs without
an alarm. Only approximately 16% indicated having insomnia.
Student youth were also queried about the impact of poor sleep quality and lack
of sleep on their memory. Approximately 64% responded yes, approximately 20%
responded no, and the remaining 16% did not respond.
How does insomnia impact the moods of our student population, according to
the survey? We asked them to rate its impact on a scale of 1 to 10. The outcomes
were as follows:3% of young people reported experiencing high levels of insomnia-
related mood disturbances. When asked about the reasons for this, those who
reported it said that they themselves experience the condition and commented that
despite their mood remaining generally good, they found it difficult to process
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information. Individuals who also reported difficulty concentrating
were included in this group.
For those who slept well, the mood improved after sleep and
they reported that it had a positive impact on concentration and
memory.Is it necessary for people to sleep for 7 hours? This has been revealed
through a survey conducted among students, who typically sleep between 02:30 and
11:00. 59% of the students sleep after midnight (00:00) and before 8:00 (08:00). 3%
of the participants sleep between 12:00 and 8:30. Those who sleep after 1:00 in the
morning are 6%, and they are between the ages 16-25.
In this survey, 25% reported having difficulty falling asleep after going to bed,
while 65% said they always have time for a nap. Only 29% do not sleep during the
daytime. Regarding the ability to wake up without an alarm, 40% said it is difficult
for them to wake up on their own, while 44% did not use an alarm for waking up.
Only 16% reported experiencing trouble waking up at all. Additionally, 16%
experience insomnia, and 64% stated that poor sleep and lack of sleep have an
impact on their memory.
When asked about the effect of sleep on memory, 64% answered yes, while
36% answered no.We asked participants to rate their level of insomnia on a scale
from 1 to 10. The results were as follows:3% of participants experienced high levels
of insomnia. Insomnia can lead to difficulty concentrating at work or in studies.
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Most students (59%) preferred to sleep between 11 pm and
midnight. Only a small percentage of students (3%) preferred to
sleep
before
10
pm
or
after
midnight.
DISCUSSION.
The findings of this study indicate a high prevalence of insomnia and sleep
disturbances among medical students at the Tashkent Medical Academy, aligning
with global data reported in similar populations. The results suggest that insomnia
is not only widespread but also significantly associated with impairments in
memory, concentration, and mood stability. These effects are consistent with
previous studies conducted in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and other countries where
medical students frequently experience stress, cognitive overload, and irregular
sleep patterns due to academic pressures.
10
40
16
65
49
46
25
11
38
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Difficulty falling asleep
Hard sleeping
Problems with early awakening
Difficulty falling asleep
Hard sleeping
Problems with early awakening
usually
25
11
38
sometimes
65
49
46
rare
10
40
16
Insomnia among Students of the Tashkent
Medical Academy
usually
sometimes
rare
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Approximately 25% of the respondents reported difficulty
falling asleep, while 64% acknowledged that sleep deprivation
negatively affected their memory. This cognitive decline could have
serious implications for medical students, who rely heavily on
memory and attention for academic success and clinical performance. The fact that
a majority of students (59%) go to sleep after midnight may reflect a cultural or
behavioral pattern, possibly exacerbated by excessive screen time, late-night
studying, and lack of structured routines.
Furthermore, while only 16% explicitly reported insomnia, a significant
number of students reported symptoms commonly associated with it, such as
difficulty maintaining wakefulness and feeling unrested. These findings highlight
the potential underreporting of insomnia symptoms due to lack of awareness or
normalization of sleep deprivation among students.
The data also underscore the emotional and psychological toll of poor sleep
quality. Although only 3% reported severe mood disturbances, many students noted
challenges with concentration and emotional regulation, which can contribute to
anxiety, irritability, and academic burnout. These observations support the
bidirectional relationship between insomnia and mental health, where psychological
stress can both contribute to and be exacerbated by poor sleep.
Given the correlation between sleep quality and overall well-being, it is
imperative to implement strategies to promote better sleep hygiene among medical
students. Educational programs emphasizing the importance of sleep, time
management workshops, and mental health support services could help mitigate the
impact of insomnia. Future research should explore interventions and longitudinal
effects of insomnia on academic performance and mental health in medical training
environments.
CONCLUSION
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This study was conducted to study the prevalence of insomnia
among students of the Tashkent Medical Academy. In general, our
result shows that more than 2/3 of students (70%) suffer from
insomnia. The Sing CY study reports that the insomnia rate among
Hong Kong college students is 68.6%.
[2]
In another study, Almojali et al. It was
reported that 76% of students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University of Medical
Sciences in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, suffered from insomnia
[3]
. Al Qahtani MS et al.
A high prevalence (78%) of insomnia was reported among students of three medical
schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
[4,5,6]
Haytham et al. They reported a high
prevalence (86.3%) of poor sleep quality, which conducted a study among residents
within the framework of programs controlled by the Saudi Commission on Health
Specialties.
[7,8]
The reasons for medical students' lack of sleep may be related to pre-
sleep cognition, such as active thinking, anxiety, planning and analysis of problems
and issues.
[9,10,11]
Lichstein K.L. et al. It has been suggested that obsessive cognition
is much more common than somatic factors in the occurrence of insomnia.
[12,13,14,15,16]
The characteristics of sleep problems were presented as difficulty falling asleep
in 25%, complaints of nocturnal awakening in 11% and problems with early
awakening in 84%.
Our results show that students suffering from insomnia have a deterioration in
memory, productivity and mood change. These results are consistent with a study
conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The authors also demonstrated that insufficient
sleep and daytime sleepiness can lead to problems in interpersonal relationships,
anxiety and depression.
[15]
Another study conducted earlier by Ford et al. It was
reported that 40% of people with insomnia and 46.5% of people with hypersomnia
had anxiety and other mental disorders, compared with 16.4% of people without
sleep complaints.
[16]
Monti et al. previously reported a link between sleep disorders
and anxiety.
[15]
Our study concluded that the prevalence of insomnia among medical
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students of the Tashkent Medical Academy is high. There is a
significant association between insomnia and anxiety, more than
half of the students complain of concomitant insomnia and anxiety.
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