Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 166-171
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260319
Impact of Nocturnal Smartphone Use on Sleep Quality among College-going Students
Jain Kajal1, Megha Sheth2
1Post Graduate Student, Department of Physiotherapy, 2Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy,
SBB College of Physiotherapy, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India.
Corresponding Author: Jain Kajal
ABSTRACT
Background: Smartphone use has become an inseparable part of modern life, particularly among adults. A rising concern is nocturnal smartphone use, which is more prevalent in college-going students due to academic, social, and recreational demands. Although the harmful effects of smartphone use on sleep are well recognized, limited research has focused specifically on the prevalence and impact of nocturnal smartphone use among Indian college-going students. Understanding this association is essential to identify at-risk populations, promote awareness, and develop preventive strategies.
Method: A cross-sectional, online questionnaire-based study was conducted among college 544 students aged 18–29 years using convenience sampling who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate courses, own a smartphone, used it night and can understand English. Data was collected through a Google Form consisting of demographic details, smartphone usage patterns and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to measure sleep quality. The mean age of the participants was 22.66 ± 2.79 years, the mean duration of smartphone uses after 9 PM was 1.64 ± 0.71 hours/day, and the mean PSQI score was 7.66 ± 3.31. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Spearmen correlation coefficient.
Results: Among 544 students who completed the study,85% reported smartphone use exceeding one hour after 9 PM, with mean daily screen time above 2 hours. Poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores > 5) was seen in 62%. Spearman’s correlation showed a significant positive relationship between nocturnal smartphone use and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores (r = 0.518, p < 0.001). Similarly, whole-day screen time showed positive correlation with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores (r = 0.12, p = 0.008).
Conclusion: Nocturnal smartphone use was associated with poor sleep quality among college-going students. These findings highlight the importance of promoting healthy nighttime smartphone use habits and provide a basis for future longitudinal studies to further investigate this association.
Keywords: Nocturnal Smartphone use, Sleep quality, Pittsburgh Sleep quality index, College students