Parasomnias and Associated Factors Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.
Sultan M Alshahrani, Razan A Albrahim, Jana K Abukhlaled, Lubna H Aloufi, Sarah S Aldharman
Cureus November 2023 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48722 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Descriptive cross-sectional survey-based study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,296 |
| Population | University students from different regions of Saudi Arabia |
| Duration | Data collected August to November 2022; parasomnia defined as at least one disorder over the past six months |
| Keywords | Confusional arousals Nightmare disorder Parasomnia Sleep talking Sleepwalking Teeth grinding bruxism |
| Key findings | Among 1,296 Saudi university students, 81.3% reported at least one parasomnia over six months, most commonly sleep talking (50.6%), nightmares (50.2%), and confusional arousals (40.4%), with sleep-related eating disorder least common (7.6%). Parasomnias were more prevalent in female students and those with a family history of parasomnia, and the authors report significant associations with psychological stress, depression, and anxiety disorders. |
Abstract
Background and aim Parasomnias are a group of sleep-related movements or emotions like sleepwalking, sleep talking, teeth grinding (Bruxism), nocturnal enuresis (sleep enuresis), sleep terrors (night terrors), sleep-related eating disorder (SRED), nightmare disorder, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), and confusional arousals. Parasomnias are more common in children than in adults. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of different parasomnias among university students in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it aimed to study the relationship between different parasomnias and gender-associated sleep disorders, mental disorders, and other medical diseases, stress, substance use, and medications.
Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional survey-based study. The target population for this study is university students from different regions of Saudi Arabia. Parasomnia was defined as having at least one of the 11 disorders (over the past six months). Data was collected through an online survey. The survey was distributed on different online platforms to collect data from other regions of Saudi Arabia. The study took place between August and November 2022.
Results: Among 1,296 participants, 934 (72.1%) were female, and 1,071 (82.6%) were aged 19-24 years. A total of 1054 (81, 3%) participants reported having at least one parasomnia disorder. The most prevalent parasomnias were sleep talking 656 (50.6%), nightmares 650 (50.2%), and confusional arousals 524 (40.4%). The least prevalent parasomnia was sleep-related eating disorder 98 (7.6%). Among participants, 580 (44.8%) had a family history of parasomnia, 439 (33.9%) were diagnosed with sleep disorders, 296 (22.8%) were diagnosed with mental illnesses, and 92 (7.1%) had other medical diseases.
Conclusion: Parasomnias are prevalent among university students in Saudi Arabia. Parasomnias were higher in female students and in students with a family history of parasomnia. Parasomnias in adults might be a chronic or recurrent disorder. Parasomnias are significantly associated with psychological stress, depression, and anxiety disorders.
Citations in the library
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