ROLE OF TRAUMA EXPOSURE, EMOTION REGULATION AND NEUROTICISM ON SLEEP QUALITY AMONG POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

ROLE OF TRAUMA EXPOSURE, EMOTION REGULATION AND NEUROTICISM ON SLEEP QUALITY AMONG POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

The current study investigated the role of trauma exposure, emotion regulation, and neuroticism on sleep quality among postgraduate students. Four hundred and four post- graduate students   (males=228, females=176) participated in the study.  The students’ ages ranged from 22 years to 51years, with a mean age of 30.60 years (SD=6.84).Participants completed the Harvard trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Neuroticism Subscale of Big Five Inventory (NSBFI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Multiple regression was used for data analysis. Result showed that trauma exposure significantly predicted sleep quality (β = .12, P <.05). Difficulties in emotion regulation significantly predicted sleep quality (β = .38, P <.001). Neuroticism was a significant predictor of sleep quality (β = .11, P <.05). Findings were discussed in relation to the literature. It was suggested that there is need to consider traumatic events, emotion regulation difficulties and neurotic traits in attending to individuals that have reduced quality of sleep.  Limitations of the study highlighted and suggestions for further study were made.