Researcher(s)
- Esmeralda Ortega, Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
Faculty Mentor(s)
- F. Sayako Earle, Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Delaware
Abstract
Existing research suggests that both sleep and stress affect components of Executive Function (EF). However, due to inconsistencies in the literature on the definition of EF, results in these fields of work vary. To account for these discrepancies, this paper instead looks at Global Executive Composite (GEC) scores, which provide a generalized measure of EF. This project utilized data from 192 participants drawn from a larger study on the relationship between circadian timing and cognitive performance, conducted at the University of Delaware and Northeastern University. We examined data collected on college-age students (18-25 years) on self-reported measures of sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]; Buysse et al., 1989), executive function (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function [BRIEF-A]; Roth et al., 2005), stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]; Cohen et al., 1983), and circadian preference (Horne-Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire [MEQ-SA]; Horne & Östberg, 1976). We conducted a series of two mediation analyses to examine the relationship between sleep, stress, and EF. First, we tested our hypothesized relationship between stress and EF, with sleep as a mediating variable. This model suggested that sleep was not a significant mediator for stress and EF. The second model looked at the relationship between sleep and EF, with stress acting as a mediator. This model found a significant mediation effect. Moreover, chronotype was found to significantly moderate the mediation effect, suggesting that the strength of stress as a mediator between sleep and EF varies depending on one’s biological sleep/wake preferences. These findings suggest that stress management, along with consideration for individual chronotype, may play an important role in the protection of EF, particularly in young adults with poor sleep quality. Working towards improving one’s sleep habits could serve as a preventative and ongoing approach to managing stress, thereby mitigating its negative effects on cognitive performance.