The Influence of Social Needs on Late Bedtimes Among College Students

Recent research presented at SLEEP 2025 highlights how students' need to belong significantly impacts their sleep patterns. A study involving 104 university students examined how social interactions influence bedtime procrastination, a behavior where students delay going to sleep despite understanding its negative effects. Findings revealed that when students engaged in in-person social activities at night, their sleep duration shortened by over an hour on school nights. This delay was strongly linked to the timing of their last interaction with friends, emphasizing the social component of bedtime procrastination.

Interestingly, students with a higher desire to belong scored higher within the social bedtime procrastination network. This desire not only increased the likelihood of forming social ties but also predicted delayed bedtimes. Lead investigator Joshua Gooley from Duke-NUS Medical School explained that social needs, especially in shared living environments, can be just as influential as screen time or workload in affecting sleep.

The study underscores that sleep is vital for health, with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommending at least seven hours of sleep per night for adults. Despite this, many students delay bedtime intentionally, reducing their sleep opportunities. To gather data, participants wore actigraphs and proximity devices for two weeks, alongside diaries and self-assessment scales measuring their need to belong. The results challenge the common perception that sleep loss is primarily due to technology or stress, highlighting the powerful role of social factors.

This research advances our understanding of sleep behavior, especially in young adults living in communal settings, and suggests that addressing social needs could be key to improving sleep health among college students.