# The Role of Fatigue in the Relationship Between Sleep and Concentration Among Online College Students

## TL;DR

This study explores how sleep affects concentration in online college students, showing that sleep reduces fatigue, which in turn improves focus.

## Contribution

The study reveals how sleep improves concentration in online students by reducing both physical and mental fatigue.

## Key findings

- Sleep duration positively influences concentration by reducing subjective physical and mental fatigue.
- Both physical and mental fatigue significantly and negatively predict concentration.
- The findings emphasize the importance of sleep for academic success in online college students.

## Abstract

Sleep deprivation is a common issue among college students, critically impairing their well-being and academic performance. This study specifically investigated the impact of sleep duration on concentration among online college students, a population with unique living situations and often irregular sleep patterns. Furthermore, it explored how this relationship is mediated by subjective physical and mental fatigue, providing a clearer understanding of the underlying process. An online survey assessed these variables using the Demographics and Background Questionnaire for sleep duration, the Student Mental Fatigue Survey (SMFS) for mental fatigue, and two subscales from the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) for subjective physical fatigue and concentration. Path analysis revealed that both subjective physical and mental fatigue significantly and negatively predicted concentration, and that sleep duration positively influenced concentration indirectly by reducing both types of fatigue. The findings highlight the essential function of sleep in improving concentration. The results provide valuable guidance for developing targeted interventions to improve sleep quality and manage fatigue, which can directly promote mental and physical health, and academic success of this growing, often overlooked, online college student population.