O desempenho académico em função da qualidade do sono, atenção executiva e ansiedade em período de exames universitários de diferentes cursos

Translated title of the thesis: Academic performance in relation to sleep quality, executive attention, and anxiety during exam periods among university students from different courses
  • Carina Sofia Correia Ferreira (Student)

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

Theoretical Background: Academic performance among university students can be influenced by various factors, including sleep quality and stressors, particularly during examination periods. These factors, widely discussed in the literature, are critical to understanding variations in academic success in higher education. The present study investigated the relationship between sleep quality, executive attention, and anxiety states, aiming to identify potential predictors of academic success in students from different academic fields. Method: A correlational and comparative approach was adopted with a sample of 51 university students from a private institution in the metropolitan area of Lisbon. The participants were enrolled in Medicine, Economics, and Law programs. Data collection occurred during examination periods and included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESE), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and neuropsychological tests such as the Stroop Test and the Go/No-Go inhibitory control task. Results: The findings revealed significant differences between students from different courses. Medical students exhibited poorer sleep quality, while Law students demonstrated lower performance in executive attention tasks. Sleep quality and state anxiety were identified as significant predictors of academic performance, whereas executive attention was not found to be a relevant predictor. Discussion: The results highlight the need to promote strategies aimed at improving sleep quality and regulating anxiety among university students, regardless of their field of study. Institutional support is crucial to assist students in balancing academic demands with mental health, particularly during high-stress periods such as examinations.
Date of Award31 Jan 2025
Original languagePortuguese
Awarding Institution
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa
SupervisorJoana Rodrigues Rato (Supervisor) & Alexandre Castro Caldas (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Sleep quality
  • Executive attention
  • Anxiety
  • Academic performance
  • University students

Designation

  • Mestrado em Neuropsicologia

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