On counting sheep: The self-medication and coping strategies of university students suffering from primary insomnia

Abstract

A factor that affects university students\' academic performance is the quantity and
quality of their sleep. There is a high rate of insomnia in the general population, but
the prevalence of sleep difficulties among university students has not been
extensively studied. The current study found that 23 per cent of the researched
student population may suffer from primary insomnia. The strategies used by these
students to cope with insomnia were investigated by means of a self-report
questionnaire, which examined two broad categories, namely self-medication and
self-coping strategies. Students were found to employ potentially harmful coping
strategies, while harmless strategies were not always perceived as helpful. Since the
onset of insomnia is often during early adulthood, and since poor sleep impacts
negatively on academic performance, this study indicates that education around
this topic is vital for students.

South African Journal of Higher Education Vol. 20 (5) 2006: pp.627-638