Sleep Quality in the Emotional Symptoms and Well-Being of University Students

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between sleep quality and emotional symptoms/well-being in university students.Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 297 participants (aged 15–47 years; 70.37% female). Nonparametric tests, Spearman correlations, and OLS/WLS regressions with robust errors were applied to model Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores.Results: Poor sleep quality was reported by 66.7% of participants, and 26.9% presented mild insomnia. Strong correlations were observed between depression and stress, insomnia and PSQI, and anxiety and stress (all p<0.001). Variables differed significantly across PSQI categories with moderate-to-large effects. Regression models explained approximately 58% of PSQI variance; insomnia, stress, and anxiety were associated with poorer sleep quality, while depression showed a marginal suppression effect, and sex was not significant.Conclusion: Poor sleep quality is highly prevalent and closely linked to greater emotional distress and reduced well-being, underscoring the need for screening and intervention in university settings.