Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
2
The Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
3
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
10.22062/sdme.2025.201101.1559
Abstract
Background: Circadian rhythms determine individual chronotypes as morning, evening, or intermediate. Evidence shows evening types are more susceptible to sleep disorders and higher levels of anxiety. Sleep quality and test anxiety are issues associated exams’ failure.
Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the impact of chronotypes on sleep quality
and test anxiety, taking into account the established relationship between general and
test anxiety.
Methods: The study included medical students at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, who were assessed using demographic information and questionnaires to evaluate test anxiety, morningness-eveningness patterns, and sleep quality. The questionnaires were translated into Persian, and their validity and reliability were previously verified. Significance level was P < 0.05.
Results: The results revealed 23 morning-type, 126 intermediate, and 74 evening-type participants. Regarding sleep quality, 197 participants reported poor sleep, while 26 reported good sleep. The mean test anxiety was 44.13 ± 10.67. Male students exhibited significantly higher test anxiety compared to female students (P =0.041). Test anxiety varied significantly across the chronotype groups (P =0.009). A significant inverse correlation was observed between sleep quality and test anxiety (r =-0.342, p<0.05). This relationship may differ by chronotype, indicating the need to consider individual characteristics in sleep interventions.
Conclusion: Our findings indicated that morning types had higher levels of test anxiety, likely due to incongruence with afternoon exam schedules. Tailoring examination schedules and class timings to accommodate diverse chronotypes highlights the importance of evening courses and adjustments to enhance well-being and academic performance, despite logistical challenges persisting.
Highlights
Negin Amini: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Samireh Ghafouri: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Zahra Rahimi: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Maryam Moradi: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Reza Fatehifar: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Keywords
