Play Hard, Sleep Harder: Relationship Between Time Spent Playing Videogames And Sleep

The use of electronics, including videogames, has been shown to affect sleep. However, previous results have been inconsistent. The current correlational study used a college-aged sample to look at how several variables are related to aspects of sleep. Measures included the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, a sleep app, and sleep and videogame play diaries. The diaries were designed to measure pre-bedtime videogame play each evening prior to sleep and to measure quality and quantity of sleep upon awakening. Hierarchical multiple regression models were used to test hypotheses. It was hypothesized that amount of time spent playing videogames and amount of gaming during the hour before bed (Step 2) would predict sleep quality, sleep quantity, and sleep onset latency, when controlling for PSQI and MEQ scores (Step 1). It was additionally hypothesized that social goals/pressures would moderate the relationships between the videogame and sleep variables (Step 3). However, no moderating effects were identified. Participant characteristics (i.e., PSQI scores) significantly predicted all sleep outcomes. Videogame variables only significantly predicted sleep onset latency, suggesting that the amount of time playing videogames had relatively no impact on sleep quality or quantity.