Gratitude, Mindfulness, and Sleep Quality in University Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62997/rl.2025.42062Keywords:
Gratitude, Mindfulness, Sleep Quality, University StudentsAbstract
The aim of this research is to explore the relationship between gratitude, mindfulness, and sleep quality. High levels of stress are common in university students, which has an impact on their general health and sleep quality. In order to understand how psychological elements, lead to improved sleep. The study explores whether practicing gratitude and mindfulness improves sleep quality by lowering stress and promoting emotional control. A correlation design was used to gain data in this study. The study collected data from a sample of 250 university students using a convenient sampling technique. Gratitude Questionnaire, Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, and Sleep Quality Scale were used for data collection. The relationship was investigated using a statistical technique including correlation, multiple regression, and Haye's process model. Significant positive associations between gratitude, mindfulness, and sleep quality were found via statistical analysis. Research findings indicate that students who scored higher on gratitude and mindfulness had better sleep satisfaction and reduced sleep disruption. To better understand this relationship future research should investigate intervention-based study and longitudinal impact.
References
AHMAD, D. N., Bibi, N., & Imran, M. (2023). EFFECTS OF TEACHER'S MOTIVATION ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KARACHI PAKISTAN. Available at SSRN 5165741.
Ali, H., & Haq, A. U. (2017). Impact of privatization of banks on profitability. Scientific Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 1(1), 24-35.
Ali, N., Bilal, M., Qureshi, S. A., Toru, N., & Rana, A. M. (2020). EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF PRIVATIZATION PROCESS IN PAKISTAN: EVIDENCE FROM STATISTICAL EXPERIENCE. Sarhad Journal of Management Sciences, 6(2), 385-402. https://nja.pastic.gov.pk/SJMS/index.php/SJMS/article/view/216
Ali, S. B., Ahmad, M. J., Ramzan, I., Ali, M., & Khan, K. (2022). Exploring the nexus between mindfulness, gratitude, and wellbeing among youth with the mediating role of hopefulness: A South Asian perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 915-667. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.915667
Alkozei, A., Smith, R., Kotzin, M. D., Waugaman, D. L., & Killgore, W. D. (2019). The association between trait gratitude and self-reported sleep quality is mediated by depressive mood state. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 17(1), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/15402002.2017.1357121
Alvaro, P. K., Roberts, R. M., & Harris, J. K. (2013). A systematic review assessing bidirectionality between sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. (8), 1059–1068. https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.2810
American Psychiatric Association. (2020). The American Psychiatric Association practice guideline for the treatment of patients with eating disorders (3rd ed.). https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/clinical-practice-guidelines
Aurangzeb, D., & Haq, A. U. (2012). Factors affecting the trade balance in Pakistan. Economics and Finance Review, 1(11), 25-30.
Azhar, Z. (2024). Blockchain as a Catalyst for Green and Digital HR Transformation: Strategies for Sustainable Workforce Management. Open Access Library Journal, 11(9), 1-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1112060
Azhar, Z. (2024). The Role of Chatbots in Enhancing Job Seekers' and Employee Experience: A Case Study on CV Warehouse. The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 10(4), 23-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.32861/jssr.10.4.23.35
Azhar, Z., & Imran, M. (2024). Ethical Considerations in the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Human Resource Management: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), 11(8). https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2408158.pdf
Azhar, Z., Nawaz, H., Malik, A. S., & Zaidi, M. H. (2022). Strategic Impact of Cloud Computing on HR Transformation. International Journal of Social Science & Entrepreneurship, 2(2), 546–576. https://doi.org/10.58661/ijsse.v4i4.336
Ballestar-Tarín, M. L., Ibáñez-del Valle, V., Mafla-España, M. A., Cauli, O., & Navarro-Martínez, R. (2023). Increased salivary IL-1 beta level is associated with poor sleep quality in university students. Diseases, 11(4), 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases11040136
Bennett-Levy, J. (2003). Mechanisms of change in cognitive therapy: The case of automatic thought records and behavioral experiments. Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 31(3), 261–277. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1352465803003048
Choo, C. C., Lee, J. J. W., Kuek, J. H. L., Ang, K. K., Yu, J. H., & Ho, C. S. (2019). Mindfulness and hemodynamics in Asians: A literature review. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 44, 112–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2019.07.023
Chow, R. M., & Lowery, B. S. (2010). Thanks, but no thanks: The role of personal responsibility in the experience of gratitude. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 46(3), 487–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2009.12.018
Crane, C., Crane, R. S., Eames, C., Fennell, M. J. V., Silverton, S., Williams, J. M. G., & Barnhofer, T. (2014). The effects of amount of home meditation practice in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on the hazard of relapse to depression in the Staying Well After Depression trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 63, 17–24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4271738/
Danish, F., Akhtar, N., & Imran, M. (2025). AI-Driven Personalization in Educational Marketing: A Framework for Enhancing Student Recruitment and Retention. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 3(2), 559-590. https://doi.org/10.63468/jpsa.3.2.33
Diekelmann, S., & Born, J. (2010). The memory function of sleep. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11, 114–126. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2762
Do, A. H., Schnitker, S. A., & Scullin, M. K. (2024). Gratitude, flourishing and prosocial behaviors following experimental sleep restriction and sleep extension. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2024.2303757
Eller, T., Aluoja, A., Vasar, V., & Veldi, M. (2006). Symptoms of anxiety and depression in Estonian medical students with sleep problems. Depression and Anxiety, 23(4), 250–256. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20167
Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377
Fallone, G., Owens, J. A., & Deane, J. (2002). Sleepiness in children and adolescents: Clinical implications. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 6(4), 287–306. https://doi.org/10.1053/smrv.2001.0192
Garland, E. L., Howard, M. O., & Stowell, M. (2014). Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement reduces sleep disturbance in individuals with chronic pain. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70(9), 935–947. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22082
Ghulam, W. A., Ali, W., Ali, S., Khan, M. M., Khan, R. N. A., & Farooq, M. (2019). Investigating factors influencing brain drain of citizens of Azad Kashmir Pakistan. The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 5(3), 782-788. http://dx.doi.org/10.32861/jssr.53.782.788
González-Martín, A. M., Aibar-Almazán, A., Rivas-Campo, Y., Castellote-Caballero, Y., & Carcelén-Fraile, M. D. C. (2023). Mindfulness to improve the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1284632. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1284632
Gupta, B., Sharma, V., Kumar, N., & Mahajan, A. (2020). Anxiety and sleep disturbances among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in India: Cross-sectional online survey. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 6(4), e24206. https://doi.org/10.2196/24206
Hafeez, A., Yaseen, G., & Imran, M. (2019). Management Paradigm Change in Pak¬-Turk (International Schools & Colleges) After a Failed Military Coup in Turkey: A Case Study.
Haq AU, (2017). Firm Characteristics and Cash-Cash Flow Sensitivity of the Manufacturing Sector of Pakistan. Business & Economic Review, 9(3), 71-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.22547/BER/9.3.3
Haq, E. U., & Khan, S. (2024). The Influence of Broken Homes on Students’ Academic Performance in Schools. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 2(4), 339-361. https://doi.org/10.63075/bnk5qv41
Hirshkowitz, M., Whiton, K., Albert, S. M., Alessi, C., Bruni, O., DonCarlos, L., ... & Adams Hillard, P. J. (2015). National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: Methodology and results summary. Sleep Health, 1(1), 40–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010
Howell, M. K. (2020). Sleep-interfering cognitions in formerly deployed veterans [Master’s thesis, Howard University].
Iqbal, T., Shah, S. M. A., & Abid, F. (2025). The Impact of Organizational Commitment and Supervisory Support on Employee Retention: Job Satisfaction as a Mediator in Pakistan’s Pharmaceutical Sector. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 3(2), 287-305. http://dx.doi.org/10.63468/jpsa.3.2.16
Ivascu, L., Ali, W., Khalid, R., & Raza, M. (2022). The impact of competitive strategies on performance of banking sector; the mediating role of corporate social responsibility and operational excellence. Energies, 16(1), 297. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010297
Jackowska, M., Brown, J., Ronaldson, A., & Steptoe, A. (2016). The impact of a brief gratitude intervention on subjective well-being, biology and sleep. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(10), 2207–2217. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105315572455
Jaleel, A., & Sarmad, M. (2024). Empowering leadership and the role of work-related curiosity in employee job crafting behavior: the role of low gender egalitarianism. The Learning Organization, 31(6), 1008-1030. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-08-2023-0148
Jaleel, A., Rabbani, S., & Sarmad, M. (2025). Unlocking the effects of joyous exploration and deprivation sensitivity on employees’ job crafting behavior: a moderating and mediating mechanism. Career Development International, 30(3), 326–344. https://doi.org/10.1108/cdi-11-2023-0412
Jean-Louis, G., Von Gizycki, H., Zizi, F., & Nunes, J. (1998). Mood states and sleepiness in college students: Influence of age, sex, habitual sleep, and substance use. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 87(2), 507–513. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1998.87.2.507
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bpg016
Kanen, J. W., Nazir, R., Sedky, K., & Pradhan, B. K. (2015). The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on sleep disturbance: A meta-analysis. Adolescent Psychiatry, 5(2), 105–115. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2021.0360
Khan, S., & Haq, E. U. (2025). The role of pedagogical strategies in teaching management science to hospitality management students. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 3(1), 805–826. https://doi.org/10.63468/jpsa.3.1.48
Khan, S., Haq, A. U., & Naseer, M. (2022). The Influence of Guerrilla Marketing on Consumer Buying Behavior in the Beverage Sector of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 3(4), 647-659. https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2022(3-IV)60
Khan, U. S. D. Z. U., & Khan, S. (2020). Impact of Employees’ Behavior on Sales: A Case Study of L’oreal Pakistan. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 4(1), 907-917. https://pssr.org.pk/issues/v4/1/impact-of-employees-behavior-on-sales-a-case-study-of-loreal-pakistan.pdf
Khoso, F. J., Shaikh, N., Dahri, K. H., & Imran, M. (2024). Educational Nurturing in Underdeveloped Contexts Unraveling the Dynamics of Student Teachers’ Holistic Development. Spry Contemporary Educational Practices, 3(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.62681/sprypublishers.scep/3/1/3
Krystal, A. D., Edinger, J. D., Wohlgemuth, W. K., & Marsh, G. R. (2002). NREM sleep EEG frequency spectral correlates of sleep complaints in primary insomnia subtypes. Sleep, 25(6), 630–640. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/25.6.630
Léger, D., Bayon, V., Ohayon, M. M., Philip, P., Ement, P., Metlaine, A., Chennaoui, M., & Faraut, B. (2014). Insomnia and accidents: Cross-sectional study (EQUINOX) on sleep-related home, work and car accidents in 5,293 subjects with insomnia from 10 countries. Journal of Sleep Research, 23(2), 143–152. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.12104
Lund, H. G., Reider, B. D., Whiting, A. B., & Prichard, J. R. (2010). Sleep patterns and predictors of disturbed sleep in a large population of college students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 46(2), 124–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.06.016
Malik, A., Hanif, H., & Elahi, M. (2025). Impact of Diversification, Political Stability & Regulatory Quality on Financial Performance: Empirical Evidence from Banking Sector of Pakistan. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 3(1), 602-626. http://dx.doi.org/10.63468/jpsa.3.1.37
Mankash, M. A., Ahmed, S. T., Shabbir, N., & Imran, M. (2025). Second Language Learning in the Digital Age: How Technology Shapes Language Acquisition at Universities in Karachi, Pakistan. Liberal Journal of Language & Literature Review, 3(1), 182-199. https://llrjournal.com/index.php/11/article/view/83
McCullough, M. E., Kimeldorf, M. B., & Cohen, A. D. (2008). An adaptation for altruism: The social causes, social effects, and social evolution of gratitude. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17(4), 281–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00590.x
Medic, G., Wille, M., & Hemels, M. E. H. (2017). Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nature and Science of Sleep, 9, 151–161. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S134864
Moss, M., Saoud, H., & Wall, D. (2016). Mindfulness meditation as a tool for reducing insomnia and improving sleep quality in patients with chronic pain. Journal of Pain Research, 9, 111–119. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S100270
MUHAMMAD, S., Afridi, F. K., Ali, M. W., Shah, W. U., & Alasan, I. I. (2020). Effect of training on employee commitment: mediating role of job satisfaction. Pakistan Journal of Society, Education and Language (PJSEL), 7(1), 28-37. https://jehanf.com/pjsel/index.php/journal/article/view/299
Nanda, J. (2009). Mindfulness. Existential Analysis: Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis, 20(1), 111–118. https://doi.org/10.1348/01446650360677382
Naseer, M., Haq, A. U., & Shah, S. M. A. (2024). Understanding Turnover Intentions in Pakistan’s Healthcare Sector: A Qualitative Exploration of Supervisory Behavior, Stress, and Cultural Norms. Annual Methodological Archive Research Review, 2(5), 1-18. https://www.amresearchreview.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/37
Naseer, M., Khan, S., Khan, R., & Minhas, A. A. (2021). Employee Retention and Job Satisfaction in the Era of Transformative Marketing: An Investigation in Context of Pakistan. International Journal of Management (IJM), 12(2), 640-653. http://dx.doi.org/10.34218/IJM.12.2.2021.063
Naseer, M., Rehan, M. S., & Shah, S. M. A. (2024). Exploring the Determinants of Career Satisfaction Among Employees: Evidence from Pakistan's Pharmaceutical Sector. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 2(4), 207-225. https://journalpsa.com.pk/index.php/JPSA/article/view/44
Ohayon, M. M., & Zulley, J. (2001). Prevalence of insomnia and sleep disturbance in the general population. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 62(Suppl 10), 5–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.12436
Ong, J. C., Ulmer, C. S., & Manber, R. (2012). Improving sleep with mindfulness and acceptance: A metacognitive model of insomnia. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50(11), 651–660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2012.08.001
Perveen, F., Aksar, M., Ul Haq, A., & Hassan, S. (2020). Variance decomposition in dividend policy at three levels. International Journal of Management, Economics and Social Sciences (IJMESS), 9(1), 24-36. http://dx.doi.org/10.32327/IJMESS/9.1.2020.2
Rana, A. M., Zainol, F. A., Yaacob, M. R., Ahmad, H., & Rehman, K.-U.-. (2018). Organizational commitment and ethical conduct on team performance: Evidence from Pakistan. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(7). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v8-i7/4344
Roberts, R. C. (2004). The blessings of gratitude: A conceptual analysis. In R. A. Emmons & M. E. McCullough (Eds.), The psychology of gratitude, 12, 58–80. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279722612
Sarmad, M., Shafi, M. Q., & , A. (2022). Abusive supervision fosters employees silence: The mediating role of avoidance orientation and moderating role of leader member exchange. International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 1(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijbsr.2022.10045213
Sathiyaseelan, A., & Balasundaram, S. (Eds.). (2024). Promoting mindfulness and well-being with Indian psychology. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-9852-3
Shah, S. M. A., Qazi, A. H., & Khan, A. R. (2025). Exploring Synergies: HR, Finance, And Sustainable Supply Chains. Qualitative Research Review Letter, 3(1), 218-254. https://doi.org/10.63075/yfbnv137
Shah, S., Khan, M., Haq , A. U., & Hayat, M. . (2023). COVID-19 Precautions of Pakistani Banks in the Lens of Qualitative Study Approach. Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research, 2(2), 16–30. https://doi.org/10.59129/gjhssr.v2.i2.2023.15
Shaukat, U., Qureshi, S. A., & Ul Haq, A. (2020). Derivative usage and bank stability: A comparison of Islamic and conventional banking from Pakistan. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 4(I), 943–954. https://doi.org/10.35484/pssr.2020(4-i)72
Shaukat, U., Rehman, A., & ul Haq, A. (2021). Pairs Trading and Stock Returns: An Evidence from Pakistan Stock Exchange. City University Research Journal, 11(2). https://cusitjournals.com/index.php/CURJ/article/view/501
Silva, V. M., Magalhães, J. E. D. M., & Duarte, L. L. (2020). Quality of sleep and anxiety are related to circadian preference in university students. PLOS ONE, 15(9), 238-514. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238514
Simione, L., Raffone, A., & Mirolli, M. (2020). Stress as the missing link between mindfulness, sleep quality, and well-being: A cross-sectional study. Mindfulness, 11, 439–451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01233-0
Sivertsen, B., Vedaa, Ø., Harvey, A. G., Glozier, N., Pallesen, S., Aarø, L. E., ... & Hysing, M. (2019). Sleep patterns and insomnia in young adults: A national survey of Norwegian university students. Journal of Sleep Research, 28(2), 127-390. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.12790
Sohail-Rehan, M., & Ul-Haq, A. (2018). The impact of multiple types of crises on human resource management among export oriented textile industry of Pakistan. Recent Issues in Human Resource Management, 1(1), 54-56.
Sultana, Z., & Imran, M. (2024). Challenges Faced by English Teachers in Pakistan. Spry Journal of Literature and Linguistics, 2(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.62681/sprypublishers.sjll/2/1/1
Sweeny, K., & Howell, J. L. (2010). Bracing later and coping better: Benefits of mindfulness during a stressful waiting period. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36(4), 546–556. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167210361672
ul Haq, A. (2019). Proposing A Model of Financial Access for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) Through Islamic Banking. City University Research Journal, 9(4), 692-715. https://cusitjournals.com/index.php/CURJ/article/view/315
ul Haq, A., & ur Rehman, K. (2017). Major Challenges and Opportunities for Islamic Banking and SMEs in Pakistan. Journal of Managerial Sciences, XI(03), 355-370. https://qurtuba.edu.pk/jms/default_files/JMS/special_edition/1%20EIEF/20%20355-370%20Ayaz%20ulHaq%20EIEF-661.pdf
ul Haq, A., Niazi, G. S. K., & Sahto, Q. (2012). Some New Evidence on Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment: A Case Study of Pakistan. Actual Problems of Economics, 2(4), 76-82
Vasilenko, S. A., Piper, M. E., & Tindle, H. A. (2019). Mindfulness and sleep quality in college students: An experimental study. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 42(5), 643–651. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-019-00049-2
Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. A. (2010). Gratitude and wellbeing: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 890–905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005
Wood, A. M., Joseph, S., Lloyd, J., & Atkins, S. (2009). Gratitude influences sleep through the mechanism of pre-sleep cognitions. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 66(1), 43–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2008.09.002
Yi, H., Shin, K., & Shin, C. (2006). Development of the sleep quality scale. Journal of Sleep Research, 15(3), 309–316. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2869.2006.00544.x
You, S., Lee, J., & Lee, Y. (2022). Relationships between gratitude, social support, and prosocial and problem behaviors. Current Psychology, 41(5), 2646–2653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01656-3