PREDICTIVE MODELLING OF DIGITAL NOCTURNALITY ON SLEEP HYGIENE, COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL WELL BEING

Source abstract

Over the past few decades, the night-time use of digital devices has increased significantly among the young adult population While most of the existing studies examine only sleep outcomes associated with night-time digital use. This study aims to investigate three interconnected domains --sleeping habits, cognitive function, and physiological well-being within a single framework, providing a holistic understanding of digital nocturnality among young adults. The study was conducted among 180 young adults aged 20–39 years residing in semi-urban areas of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using validated tools, including the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI), Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), Stroop Test, and Digital Wellbeing/App Tracker. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, were used for data interpretation. Findings revealed that about half of the participants spent 1-2 hours of night-time digital activity (49.44%). Based on the Spearman correlation test, there was a significant positive relationship between night-time digital activity and physiological sleepiness (ρ=0.215, p=0.0037) and a moderate positive relationship with poor sleep hygiene (ρ=0.504, p<0.001). No significant relationship existed between night-time digital activity and cognitive wellbeing (ρ=-0.051, p=0.494). Night time digital engagement was significantly associated with sleep habits and physiological well-being of young adults. Results of this study have highlighted the potential adverse effects of digital nocturnality.