Date of Award

Summer 2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

First Advisor

Walter Buboltz

Abstract

Research has shown that college students experience sleep difficulties at a higher rate than the general population. Many factors contribute to the sleep difficulties of college students including lifestyle, stimulant use, alcohol use, physiological arousal, and cognitive factors. Sleep difficulties have been shown to have a significant negative impact on numerous aspects of an individual's life including cognitive/academic performance, physical health, and psychological functioning. College administrators and counselors need effective interventions for students experiencing sleep difficulties. It is also essential that individuals working with college students be aware of personal factors that may impact how an individual responds to a sleep intervention. Thus, the purpose of this study was twofold. The first purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of two sleep interventions: the Sleep Treatment and Education Program for Students and an enhanced version of the program. The second purpose of this study was to examine how approach/avoidance motivation and psychological reactance impact an individual's response to the sleep intervention. Results indicated no significant difference in sleep quality, sleep length, sleep hygiene awareness, or sleep hygiene practices due to participation in the sleep interventions. In addition, approach/avoidance motivation and psychological reactance were not found to impact an individual's response to an intervention to improve sleep. The implications of the findings as well as the limitations of the current study and suggestions for future research are discussed.

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