1.Sleep quality and its associations with dormitory relationships and sensory processing sensitivity among college students in Shanghai
L Ning, GUO Peipei, JIANG Maomin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(9):1321-1325
Objective:
To investigate sleep quality among college students in Shanghai and examine its associations with dormitory relationships and sensory processing sensitivity, so as to provide a reference for developing targeted strategies to improve sleep quality among college students.
Methods:
From June to September 2025, a total of 1 425 college students in Shanghai were recruited by using stratified cluster random sampling. Participants were assessed by using the Dormitory Interpersonal Relationship Diagnostic Scale, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale-12 (HSP-12), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine correlations among the study variables. Hierarchical linear regression model was used to identify factors associated with sleep problems. The moderating effect of sensory processing sensitivity was further examined by including an interaction term between dormitory relationships and sensory processing sensitivity in the regression model.
Results:
The mean scores for sleep problems, dormitory relationships, and sensory processing sensitivity were (7.93±4.02) (12.05±2.13), and (52.65±14.38), respectively. Sleep problem scores were positively correlated with both dormitory relationship scores and sensory processing sensitivity scores ( r =0.26, 0.56, both P <0.01). Linear regression analysis showed that dormitory relationships ( β = 0.32 ), a larger number of roommates ( β =0.05), and excessive caffeine intake ( β =0.09) were positively associated with sleep problem scores (all P <0.05). Moderation analysis indicated that sensory processing sensitivity significantly moderated the association between dormitory relationships and sleep problem scores ( β =0.27, P <0.05). Simple slope analysis further showed that the association was statistically significant only among students with high sensory processing sensitivity ( β =0.61, P <0.05).
Conclusions
College students in Shanghai experience sleep problems to some extent. Dormitory relationships constitute an important environmental factor associated with sleep problems, and sensory processing sensitivity moderates the association. Efforts should be made to optimize the dormitory environment and provide greater attention and targeted support to students with high sensory processing sensitivity.


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