Hillcrest School Cogeo Village, Antipolo City

“The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on the Academic Performance of

By:
Llaneta, Andrei L.
Guerra, Luigi B.
Lipata, Nazh C.
Roldan, Emmanuel R.

HUMSS 2024-2025
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Sleep deprivation is a currently known term for “Lack of Sleep”. Usually heard among

busy people as they refer to themselves as “sleep-deprived”. According to Chattu VK, et al., a high

quality of life and healthy physical and mental health depend on getting enough sleep. In the

modern, 24-hour society, inadequate sleep is a pervasive and significant issue. A sizable amount

of research demonstrates that getting too little sleep results in a variety of harmful physical and

mental conditions (“The Global Problem of Insufficient Sleep and Its Serious Public Health

Implications”, 2018). By way of explanation, the study states that when a person doesn't obtain

the necessary quantity of sleep, sleep deprivation occurs and is followed by its various adverse

effects on an individual’s health.

According to Dr. Michael Twery, a sleep specialist at News in Health, nearly every tissue

in our body is affected by sleep. Therefore, when an individual does not receive adequate sleep, it

impacts the immune system, one’s hunger, breathing, blood pressure, and cardiovascular health.

He also added that lack of sleep impacts growth and stress hormones. (“The Benefits of Slumber”,

2013). To prevent this, countless studies have suggested proper sleep scheduling. For most adults,

7 to 8 hours per night of sleep are necessary for optimal health. Meanwhile, 8 to 10 hours of sleep

is recommended for teens aged 13 to 18 years old. Dr. Peggye Anderson in a report published by

the Global Council on Brain Health (2017), proved that adequate sleep is necessary for maintaining

a healthy physical and mental wellbeing. She stated that sleep is necessary for maintaining a

healthy cognitive function of the brain.

some individuals as various factors contribute to sleep deprivation. These factors include

age, lifestyle, pre-existing illnesses, and mental well-being. For example, an individual

may be constantly working long hours in their respective jobs without proper self-care

and sleep. An individual may also be a student struggling to meet and accomplish an

academic requirement or a parent trying their best to raise their newborn child, therefore

they suffer from sleep deprivation. The causes of sleep deprivation when tackled, are

very diverse and complicated. However, the most common cause among all these factors

is either a preexisting sleeping disorder, such as insomnia and narcolepsy, or lifestyle.

Getting enough sleep is essential for a high quality of life and for maintaining both physical

and mental health. In today's 24-hour environment, getting little sleep is a common and serious

problem. Sleep affects almost all our body's tissues. Therefore, not getting enough sleep affects

one's immune system as well as their appetite, respiration, blood pressure, and cardiovascular

health. He further stated that lack of sleep affects hormones that control stress and growth. This

does not only apply to adults, but lack of sleep also increases the risk of various health issues in

children and adolescents as well. This includes obesity, type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, and

accidents. Additionally, they are more likely to have attentional and behavioral issues, which might

hinder their academic success at school. Therefore, sleep deprivation is a heavy and significant

topic that needs to be covered.

This research is conducted to determine the impact of sleep deprivation on the academic

performance of the Senior High School Students of Hillcrest School. Sleep deprivation is a

significant problem in society that should be taken seriously and analyzed critically, there the

researchers aim to provide objective answers and solutions to the following:

1. The demographic profile of the student:

→ Name

→ Age

→ Sex and Gender

→ Grade and Section

2. The prior knowledge of the student about the following concepts: Sleep Deprivation, Sleep

Scheduling, Sleep-related Health Problems

3. The sleeping habits of the student

4. The physical effects of sleep deprivation on the student

5. The students’ approach to helping themselves in organizing and fixing their respective

sleep shedules.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

Modern society has normalized sleep-depriving practices such as “all-nighters”, wherein

an individual spends the whole night immersed in a specific activity. This is common

especially in students, as they spend all night playing online games or accomplishing

academic requirements. Therefore, the goal of the researchers is to briefly tackle and

determine the factors of sleep deprivation in students and focus heavily on its effect on

their physical well-being such as their performance. The researchers also aim to provide

concrete solutions to prevent sleep deprivation and suggest ways on how a student can

properly organize their respective sleep schedules.

HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY

The extent of sleep deprivation, as measured by the average number of hours of sleep per

night, is negatively correlated with the physical health status of senior high school

students at Hillcrest School, such that an increase in sleep deprivation will be associated

with a decrease in physical health scores as assessed through standardized physical

health assessments.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This quantitative study, examining "The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on the Academic

Performance of Senior High School Students at Hillcrest School.", has significant implications

for the Department of Education, the institution itself, the faculty, parents, and the students.

This study makes use of quantitative research techniques to offer data-driven insights into

the connection between lack of sleep and physical health, thereby advancing the field of

evidence-based decision-making. The study has the potential to yield benefits for the

following stakeholders:

Department of Education. Quantitative data from this study can inform the Department of

Education's policies by providing concrete evidence of the extent of sleep deprivation among

senior high school students and its impact on their physical health. This, in turn, can lead to

the development of more effective and data-driven policies.

School (Hillcrest School) The school can use quantitative data to tailor interventions based on

specific findings. For example, if the data reveals that a significant percentage of students

experience sleep deprivation due to excessive extracurricular activities, the school can take

steps to address this issue directly.

of sleep deprivation among students and its impact on their academic performance.

Armed with this knowledge, teachers can adjust their teaching methods, consider

workload management, and be more empathetic in accommodating students' sleep

needs.

Parents. May benefit also from the information that will be generated from this study. They

may have a better understanding in terms of the effect of sleep deprivation in their child’s

health and academic performance. This may be instrumental in providing more guidance

and motivation to their children to have a complete number of hours in sleeping to enhance

their children’s academic performance.

Students. The study results can benefit students by providing them with concrete data on

the relationship between sleep deprivation and physical health. Armed with this

knowledge, students can make informed decisions about their sleep habits and prioritize

healthier routines.

Researchers. The researchers in the future who may opt to conduct studies along the line

would be benefited by the information and insights that will be gained from the current

research endeavor.
SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

When determining the physical effects of sleep deprivation on students, the researchers

had to keep in mind that the factors that contribute to sleep deprivation are a wide and

complicated array of topics and that it requires a health expert to fully conceptualize them.

Therefore, the researchers mainly focused on determining the impact of sleep deprivation

and only briefly cited possible factors that contributed to it. The researchers also focused on

the Senior High School department only, as covering the entirety of the Junior High School

department will yield inconsistent results, therefore not having any straightforward

conclusion.
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation is defined as the consequence of failing to attain the essential

quantity of sleep, frequently resulting in a pronounced sense of weariness due to

inadequate rest. This condition may give rise to a spectrum of symptoms, as sleep

plays a substantial role in influencing the comprehensive functioning of the human

body. Sleep deprivation is quantitatively classified into two main categories: acute,

which arises from a single night of inadequate sleep, and chronic, which ensues from a

prolonged and consistent struggle to secure sufficient sleep over an extended duration

(Patel, 2022). Addressing sleep deprivation necessitates a fundamental increase in the

duration of sleep. However, the process of resolving sleep-related problems is intricate

and multifaceted, contingent upon the specific underlying causes of these issues. The

consequences of insufficient sleep are extensive, adversely impacting both physical

and mental health. Quantitative analyses in this domain have indicated that the

adverse effects of sleep deprivation manifest in diverse and detrimental ways. Some of

these effects are readily observable, leading to immediate repercussions, while others

remain latent, only surfacing years later in an individual's life trajectory (Peters, 2022).

University students frequently experience sleep deprivation, which has been

connected to both physical dysfunction and subpar academic performance. The focus

of the current literature is limited in terms of the domains examined; hence the goal of

this study is to look at how a sleepless night affects students' physical and mental

abilities. A randomized
controlled crossover trial comprising 64 participants [mean SD age = 22; 58% male

(n = 37)] was carried out. One night of normal sleep or one night of sleep deprivation

where the two conditions to which participants were randomly allocated. An online

time-stamped questionnaire was used to gauge the participants' degree of sleep

deprivation, and it was completed at 45-minute intervals in their homes. The results

included physical response speed (ruler drop testing), executive function (Stroop

test), and cognitive working memory (Simon game derivative).

Children are much more susceptible to sleep debt, per a 2017 National Sleep

Foundation study. Notable statistics were showcased during the June sleep

conference. Children with attention span issues and even symptoms like ADHD

might be brought on by sleep deprivation. The study suggests that children who

don't get enough sleep could be misdiagnosed with ADHD. Unlike sleepy or

exhausted adults, who become slow, children compensate for their tiredness by

becoming hyperactive and boisterous. They also don't know why they are behaving

in this manner. Aside from bad lifestyle choices, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a

disorder that interferes with the sleep cycle and impacts a person's energy, memory,

and long-term health, is one of the most common reasons of poor sleep quality.

The stated literature and statistics stated above define and solidify that “Sleep

Deprivation” is the consequence of having little to no sleep. A University’s study

briefly showcased the effects of sleep deprivation to add to its definition. Sleep

deprivation is also more felt and has more severe effects on younger people such as

children.
The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Abilities

According to Richter (2015), it has been established that students who suffer from sleep

deprivation are at an increased risk of encountering a range of negative consequences.

academic achievements, accidents resulting from drowsy driving, elevated levels of anxiety,

experiences of desolation, contemplation of self-harm, and even actual suicide attempts.

Recognizing and addressing the issue of sleep deprivation among students is imperative, as it

exerts a direct influence on their overall performance. Sleep deprivation demonstrates a

measurable impact on neuronal activity in the frontal and parietal cortices, which play a

pivotal role in working memory. Consequently, this leads to quantifiable reductions in both

overall attention and memory capabilities. In empirical investigations involving sleep

deficiency, a consistent quantitative correlation has been observed, linking decreased

activation in brain regions specifically relevant to the given task to subpar task performance.

Moreover, in the context of a 24-hour period of sleep deprivation, quantitative assessments

reveal a substantial increase in stress hormone levels, while simultaneously showcasing a

quantifiable decline in attention and working memory functions (Frenda & Fenn, 2016).

Sleep deprivation has an adverse impact on the brain and cognitive performance.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was utilized by researchers from the

Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in San Diego and the UCSD School of Medicine to

monitor brain activity in subjects who were sleep-deprived while they completed simple
verbal learning tasks. The results of the study showed that individuals who were

sleepier showed greater activity in specific areas of the brain's prefrontal cortex. A

part of the brain that facilitates mental skills like reasoning and practical

application is called the prefrontal cortex. both practical (or "means-ends")

thinking and working memory. These findings led the researcher to the conclusion

that the average non-sleep-deprived subject's brain needed noticeably more

effort to finish a task than the average non-sleep-deprived person's brain did.

These findings led them to the conclusion that sleep-deprived individuals' brains

were attempting to make up for the detrimental effects of their lack of sleep. The

studies show the impact of sleep deprivation on a person’s cognitive abilities such

as impacting one’s focus thus affecting academic performance and even driving.

The Effects of Sleep Deprivation

Extensive evidence highlights the link between sleep deprivation, daytime

sleepiness, and their impact on students' perceived quality of life, educational

environment, as well as the manifestation of depression and anxiety symptoms.

Scholarly investigations have indicated that curricular modifications, which involve

the reorganization of academic schedules, personalized mentoring, initiatives

focused on promoting health, and the allocation of dedicated hours for study and

leisure, are effective strategies to assist students in time management. These

interventions indirectly contribute to improved learning outcomes, better sleep

patterns, reduced daytime sleepiness, and ultimately result in an elevated quality

of life for medical students (Perotta et al., 2021) The widespread occurrence of

sleep problems within the general population, with a particular vulnerability

observed among medical students. Empirical studies consistently demonstrate

that the prevalence of

counterparts. Numerous quantitative investigations have elucidated the multifaceted

factors contributing to the heightened prevalence of sleep problems in medical students.

These factors include extended hours of classes and study commitments, demanding

clinical clerkships involving overnight shifts, heightened emotional stress levels, lifestyle

choices, and a substantial amount of time dedicated to virtual social media use. These

empirical findings underscore the quantitative disparities in sleep patterns between

medical and non-medical students, shedding light on the considerable impact of medical

education and related stressors on sleep quality and duration (Perotta et al., 2021). The

field of sleep deprivation has consistently indicated its substantial impact on the

development of leadership attributes and the need for cognition among college students.

Empirical investigations demonstrate that sleep deprivation plays a quantifiable role in

perturbing students' collegiate experiences and socialization. Specifically, quantitative

analyses reveal that sleep deprivation leads to heightened daytime sleepiness and fatigue,

resulting in a measurable reduction in energy levels. This, in turn, quantifiably disrupts

students' engagement in various activities and substantially diminishes the time available

for social interactions, thereby highlighting the significant negative repercussions of sleep

deprivation on students' leadership and cognitive needs within a collegiate environment.

(Crowley et al., 2018) The rising prevalence of sleep deprivation among college students is

a cause for concern. Previous research efforts examining students' sleep patterns have

primarily concentrated on academic achievements and physical health issues. However,

this study delves into the repercussions of sleep deprivation among college students,

specifically emphasizing its influence on two crucial developmental aspects: leadership

insights into the relationship between sleep deprivation and these significant

psychological and cognitive outcomes among college students (Chen et al., 2019).

What does each person's sleep accomplish? Not only does adequate sleep allow our

bodies to recuperate, but it also facilitates mental rejuvenation and the transition of

short-term to long-term memory storage. It has been shown that children who

receive enough sleep perform better the next day, particularly in difficult areas like

arithmetic. Both decision- making and emotional stability are impacted by getting the

right amount of restful sleep.

The study mentioned that the author has personal experience with the negative

effects of sleep deprivation on weight gain, having covered big athletic events such as

the Olympics. The easiest reason is that you try to stay awake during the hours when

you should be sleeping by consuming extra sweets, caffeine, or food in general.

However, a person's capacity to make good use of the food they eat is decreased by

approximately thirty percent when they sleep too little. Another problem is that the

body cannot properly digest glucose, which leads to lethargy. Furthermore, when

cortisol is released, it accelerates the aging process and prevents the brain from

receiving enough of the nutrients it needs to function at its best.