MOOD STATES AND SLEEPINESS IN COLLEGE-STUDENTS - INFLUENCES OF AGE, SEX, HABITUAL SLEEP, AND SUBSTANCE USE

Survey and laboratory evidence suggests several factors affecting slee p-wake pat terns of college students. These factors include social and academic demands, diminution of parental guidance, reduction of total sleep time, delayed bedtime, and increased nap episodes. In this stud y, we examined the problem of falling asleep in school as a correlate of negative moods in this population (N=294). a multivariate analysis showed significant main effects of sleepiness on mood states based on the Profile of Mood States. Students who fell asleep in school reporte d higher negative mood states. Significant interactions were observed among sleepiness and age, sex, race, and duration of sleep. Specifical ly, younger men reported higher negative moods. No interactions were n oted for alcohol and marijuana consumption; however, students who fell asleep in school consumed more alcoholic beverages and smoked more th an those who did not. Perhaps falling asleep in school could be used a s an index that characterizes students who manifest adaptive or psycho logical difficulty.