Frequency of Sleep Paralysis and Its Association with Insomnia, Daytime Sleepiness and Perceived Stress Among Young Adults in Karachi
Syed Muhammad Mubeen, Zainab Zaidi, Rimsha Humair, Muhammad Usama Ansari, Naveed Mansoori, Uzma Kanwal
Annals of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Karachi Medical & Dental College September 1, 2025 DOI: 10.58397/jatbw258 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 400 |
| Population | Young adults aged 15 to 35 years in Karachi, Pakistan |
| Keywords | Sleep paralysis Insomnia Stress Daytime sleepiness Pakistan |
| Key findings | Sleep paralysis is highly prevalent (49.5%) among young adults in Karachi, and is associated with stress and daytime sleepiness but not insomnia. |
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of sleep paralysis (SP) among young adults in Karachi, Pakistan, and to assess its correlations with insomnia, daytime somnolence, and perceived stress.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to December 2023, with 400 participants aged 15 to 35 years, recruited through convenience sampling across Karachi. Data were gathered by a self-administered questionnaire that included the Unusual Sleep Experience Questionnaire (USEQ) for sleep paralysis, the Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI) for insomnia, the Epworth drowsiness Scale (ESS) for daytime drowsiness, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) for stress assessment. SPSS version 23 was used for analysis. Logistic regression and one-way ANOVA were used to examine relationships, with p<0.05 being statistically significant. All the ethical issues were taken into consideration.
Results: The prevalence of SP was 49.5%, with 46.0% of individuals reporting 2 to 4 episodes. Sensory responses comprised chest tightness (26.3% always) and suffocation (16.2% always). Age (21–25 years: OR=2.13, p=0.002), marital status (married: OR=3.53, p=0.005), and postgraduate education (OR=5.86, p=0.033) were significant predictors of SP. Females reported higher stress (p=0.004), while married and postgraduate participants showed elevated daytime sleepiness (p=0.003 and p=0.005, respectively).
Conclusion: SP is highly prevalent among Karachi’s young adults, driven by stress and daytime sleepiness rather than insomnia. Targeted interventions addressing stress and sleep hygiene are warranted.