Sleep quality of Chinese high school seniors before and after school reopened from quarantine: differences between commuter students and residential students

Background: The sleep quality and duration of Chinese high school students, particularly those in their last year, are poor. The sleep patterns and quality of sleep differ between commuter students and residential students. However, there is currently little research that focuses on their sleep quality during the quarantine period due to COVID-19 with that after the quarantine was lifted. The purpose of this study is to explore the differences in sleep between commuter students and residential students, as well as to identify factors that are associated with their sleep quality. Methods: A total of 274 Chinese high school seniors were surveyed before and after school reopened. The Chinese version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used, and their demographic information was collected. Results: Both commuter students and residential students had significantly higher PSQI scores [mean (M) =7.09, standard deviation (SD) =3.208] in the second survey compared to the first (M =5.73, SD =3.712), and their actual sleep time was significantly shorter in the second survey (M =5.67, SD =0.582) compared to the first (M =7.85, SD =1.738). The subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, and daytime dysfunction of both commuter and residential students worsened after the school reopened. In contrast, the sleep latency and sleep efficiency of commuter students improved after the school reopened, though the same result was not found for residential students. Conclusions: These results reflect that the quarantine measures during the pandemic period benefited students' sleep quality. After the reopening of schools and the commencement of preparation for the national college entrance exam (Gaokao), the sleep quality and duration of Chinese high school seniors declined. Additionally, they reported feeling more tired and lacking in energy during the daytime. In cases where studying encroaches on the sleep time, residential students lose less of their sleep duration than commuter students, while commuter students have higher sleep efficiency although it may not be a good thing.