Authors : Shanmugiah
DOI : 10.4103/IJBS.IJBS_12_26
Volume : 2
Issue : 29
Year : 2026
Page No : 107-111
Background: Medical graduate students face high levels of stress, which can impair sleep quality, affecting cognitive and emotional well‑being. Physical activity is known to enhance sleep, while excessive screen time, especially before bed, can disrupt sleep patterns. Stress, physical activity, and sleep are interconnected. Very limited prospective observations are available on this, especially the relationship between screen time and sleep. This study explored the impact of perceived stress, physical activity, and screen time on sleep quality among medical and graduate students. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 46 medical graduate students at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital working in various departments. Participants with psychiatric illness, substance use, or chronic medical conditions were excluded. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, perceived stress using the Perceived Stress Scale-4, and physical activity using the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Scale. These scales were administered by one psychiatric resident under the supervision of two independent senior psychiatrists. Daily screen time was self-reported. Data were analyzed using t-tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and logistic regression. Results: Poor sleep quality was reported by 71.7% of participants. Higher perceived stress was significantly linked to poorer sleep quality (P = 0.020) and increased daytime dysfunction. Lower physical activity levels were associated with poor sleep (P = 0.001). Screen time exceeding 2 h daily was a significant predictor of poor sleep (P = 0.033). High stress, low physical activity, and excessive screen time contribute to poor sleep quality. On logistic regression, the prebed screen time was significantly associated with quality of sleep. Hence, the prescreen time appears to be an independent predictor for sleep alteration in this observation though all the variables emerge statistically significant. Conclusion: Targeted interventions are needed to improve sleep hygiene and well-being considering the stress levels, physical activity, and prescreen time. Although the findings are in line with available limited literature, future studies should focus on prebed screen time.