The Mediating Role of Social Media Usage in the Relationships Between Sleep Deprivation and Cognitive Functioning Among Undergraduate Students

Ekwo; Jude Chukwudi; Douglas; John Ufuoma; Ishienyi; Ginikachukwu Jane

doi:10.56201/ijssmr.vol.12no9.2026.pg182.194

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The Mediating Role of Social Media Usage in the Relationships Between Sleep Deprivation and Cognitive Functioning Among Undergraduate Students

Ekwo, Jude Chukwudi, Douglas, John Ufuoma, Ishienyi, Ginikachukwu Jane

Abstract

This study examined the mediating role of social media usage in the relationships between sleep deprivation and cognitive functioning among undergraduate students. The study adopted a correlational design and involved 100 undergraduate students. Data were collected using the Brief Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (B-PSQI), Cognitive Failures Questionnaire , and Social Media Use Integration Scale . Mediation analysis was conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS Macro Model 4, while age, gender, level of study, and mode of admission were controlled. The findings showed that sleep deprivation did not significantly predict social media usage, B = -0.16, SE = 0.13, β = -.16, t = -1.25, p = .215. Sleep deprivation also did not significantly predict cognitive functioning, B = -0.88, SE = 0.50, β = -.18, t = -1.75, p = .084. Social media usage was not a significant predictor of cognitive functioning, B = -0.34, SE = 0.40, β = -.07, t = -0.86, p = .393. The indirect effect of sleep deprivation on cognitive functioning through social media usage was not significant, B = 0.06, BootSE = 0.12, 95% CI [-0.10, 0.31]. However, age, gender, and level of study significantly predicted cognitive functioning. The study concluded that sleep deprivation and social media usage did not significantly explain cognitive functioning in the sampled undergraduates, while demographic characteristics appeared more influential.

Keywords

Sleep deprivation; sleep quality; social media usage; social media integration; cognitive functioning; cognitive failures; undergraduate students; mediation analysis.

References

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The Mediating Role of Social Media Usage in the Relationships Between Sleep Deprivation and Cognitive Functioning Among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

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