SLEEP DISORDERS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS IN WAR-TIME CONDITIONS

Abstract

One of the negative effects on the human psyche is sleep disturbances, which manifest themselves from the first days of the war. Research by scientists shows that sleep problems, in particular insomnia, short sleep, and nightmares, are common during military operations. This affects a person’s well-being and physical health, reducing muscle strength, and worsening the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. For many participants in armed conflicts (military personnel, civilians living in the territory of active military operations, the population constantly under the threat of air attacks, etc.), sleep problems persist for years. They can have a significant impact on their ability to reintegrate and restore life after the war successfully. It is known that 2/3 of all respondents surveyed living in Ukraine during the war were found to have sleep disturbances of varying intensity. There is a positive moderate correlation between sleep disturbances and increased anxiety levels. The mental health of young people during war is critical due to the acute impact of traumatic events such as military action, loss of loved ones, forced migration, and general instability. According to research, war creates extreme stress conditions that increase the risk of developing mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression. Young people, who are in the process of developing psycho-emotional stability, are especially vulnerable to these effects. Studies show that even short-term exposure to extreme situations can have long-term consequences for the mental health of young people, particularly students. Studying at a medical school is already a significant challenge and a potential stress factor for young people. Chronic stress experienced during medical education can impact students’ physical and mental health. Medical university and college students report worsening sleep. Many perceive studying at a medical university as highly stressful, leading to increased levels of stress.Medical students are at increased risk of developing burnout symptoms, such as high emotional exhaustion and stress-related mental disorders like sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety. The aim of our study was to investigate a possible correlation between sleep quality and sleep properties in medical students during the war and their impact on academic performance. Our survey of students showed that at this stage of the research, no relationship was found between sleep disorders in second-year medical students and their academic performance. Thus, the academic performance of 18–24-year-old girls with sleep disorders were statistically not different from the academic performance of girls without sleep disorders. There was also no statistically significant relationship found between sleep disorders in young men of the same age and their academic performance. However, high motivation for successful learning in young men during the war may contribute to the development of sleep disorders in them, which requires additional testing.