Subjective parameters of sleep and dysphoric mood

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to analyse the relationship between several subjective parameters of sleep quantity and sleep quality and dysphoric mood in healthy subjects under normal conditions. The sample was composed of 257 university students. A questionnaire about sleep habits and the Beck Depression Inventory were carried out. There were significant differences in dysphoric mood according to habitual sleep duration but not to necessary sleep duration. The subjects who habitually sleep for less than 7 hours are those who present a worse dysphoric mood. There were differences in dysphoric mood dependent upon the existence or otherwise of an adjustment between habitual and necessary sleep hours. The subjects who habitually sleep less hours than they need are those who show more symptoms of dysphoric mood. On the other hand, it has been found that dysphoric mood is related to sleep latency, number of awakenings, sleep regularity and satisfaction with sleep quality. The data supports the importance of sleep and its relationship to measures of well-being in the non-clinical population.