Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic On Sleep Quality in Students and Employees: Web-Based Survey

Abstract Background Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are experiencing severe mental distress. Thus, during the last year, drastic changes occurred in everyday life of every human being. Following social distancing and economic insecurity, significant increases in mental health concerns (loneliness, anxiety, depression, or insomnia) have developed. Methods Following social distancing and economic insecurity, significant increases in mental health concerns (loneliness, anxiety, depression, or insomnia) have developed. The objective of this study was to explore the sleep quality in students and employees, during the COVID-19 pandemic. 620 responses were validated. Results In this study, more than 20% of the participants scored above the cut-off score for insomnia and almost 40% screened positive for mild problems with sleep. All these results are indicating an exacerbation of sleep disturbances. Although there is an increased prevalence of sleep disorders among respondents, these changes were not directly associated with the presence of the infection or its severity, but rather with various demographic, socio-economic variables and finally with the presence of a pre-existing psychiatric disorder. Conclusions In conclusion, sleep disorders among students and employees are a major health issue associated with great psychological burden. Up to date, research of insomnia during a pandemic crisis is limited. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to explore sleep difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic in students and employees in Romania. This study uncovered a high-level of insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women, single people, or presence of psychiatric disorders were more susceptible to sleep difficulties.