Impact of Sleep Deprivation on the Lack of Concentration and in Academic Performance

of Grade 12 HUMSS Students

12 HUMSS 4A
GROUP 6
Ms. Kharamay M. Pala-uma

Members:

Magallanes, Rhaya Alexis

Alesna, Princess Nathaleah Jane
Languita, Vianna Julia
Napoles, Luckysha
Trangia, Dorothy
Villamero, Alyssa Feb
Rationale

This research entitled Impact of Sleep Deprivation on the Lack of

Concentration in Academic Performance of Grade 12 HUMSS Students focuses on
tackling the effects of sleep deprivation on graduating students, specifically, Grade
12 HUMSS students. This study evaluates how sleep deprivation impacts the
student's concentration especially the Grade 12 HUMSS students depending on the
respondent's profile. This study also examines the impact of sleep loss on the
student’s academic aspects such as group work, performance tasks, written work,
etc. According to Jalali et al. (2020), sleep is important for physical and mental
well-being, learning, and practice. It is an integral aspect of human health and
existence. Excessive sleep, frequent short-term sleep, staying up late, and early
wake-up times have all been linked to negative effects on learning, academic
performance, and neurobehavioral processes. University students are more likely to
experience inadequate or poor-quality sleep during their studies due to
maturational, psychological, and intellectual changes. This can have a detrimental
effect on their academic performance (Muro et. al., 2023).

Dealing with multiple responsibilities in life will often result in a negative

impact on our health. Some students, especially those involved in extracurricular
activities, have part-time jobs, and other academically related activities are the
most prevalent in sleep deprivation. They lack sufficient sleep, which is normally 8
- 9 hours of sleep due to heavy workloads. Their mind cannot concentrate on the
lesson. It is scientifically explained that when a person does not get enough sleep,
it leads to lower alertness and concentration and difficulty focusing and paying
attention. As their cognitive ability is disrupted and significantly affected. A
student's academic performance will be affected as a result of sleep deprivation or
lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation is common amongst university students who live in
a culture that promotes reduced sleep, due to the burden of academic work and
social pursuits. The reasons for poor sleep hygiene include alcohol and caffeine
intake, stimulants, and technology, which prevent students from achieving
sufficient sleep time and quality (Yusuf, 2020). In that case, there have been more
factors that contribute to the sleep deprivation of students. In the USA, Lee Alice et
al. (2023) conducted a case study on sleep deprivation in which the participants
were instructed to refrain from consuming alcohol and caffeinated drinks as well as
abstaining from exercise, smoking, and nicotine patches. This is to determine how
those factors impacted their sleep hygiene and academic performance. After the
analysis, the results showed that the student’s academic performance was not
heavily affected. However, their physical performance is significantly affected. In
that case, students must learn how to manage their time effectively, balance their
responsibilities, and prioritize their well-being to continue living in good health.
For instance, students with higher levels of intrinsic motivation, tend to perform
better academically as they are driven by an internal desire to learn and succeed.
Cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and processing speed, also
significantly influence academic achievement (Vallejo, 2023). Despite the lack of
sleep, highly motivated students are not affected as much by their cognitive
abilities but severely impede tasks that require prolonged concentration. Moreover,
students are bombarded with heavy tasks and work, and pulling an “all-nighter”
will reduce their cognitive abilities and cause them to have difficulty in mental
functioning. Emerging evidence suggests that some aspects of higher-level
cognitive capacities remain degraded by sleep deprivation despite restoration of
alertness and vigilance with stimulant countermeasures, suggesting that sleep loss
may affect specific cognitive systems above and beyond the effects produced by
global cognitive declines or impaired attentional processes (William, 2020). In
America, Alfonsi, Palmizio, Rubino, Scarpelli, and Gorgoni researched the effects
of sleep duration, sustained attention, and academic performance. Findings indicate
that a one-hour delay in school start time is associated with longer sleep, better
diurnal sustained attention, attendance, and improved academic performance.
Notably, sleep changes were limited to school days. A delay in school start time
should be seriously considered to improve students’ academic achievements. Sleep
deprivation degraded objective attentional performance measures in students who
opted to start classes at 8:00 am, suggesting that sleep loss reasonably affects other
domains (Palmizio, 2024).

Therefore, sleep deprivation affects not just the students’ concentration, but
also their physical health. Sleep is essential, especially for students who have
heavy schoolwork. It involves the concentration of the students, not just during the
lessons, but also during group work, performance tasks, and even in written works.
Getting enough rest and managing their time well could help students focus better
and perform better overall. Lack of sleep might be difficult, but it can be controlled
with the correct routine. Finally, sleep is critical for preserving physical and mental
health and academic performance.
Significance of the Study

This study will be significant to the following:

Students. This will benefit the students as it gives them insights that can help
regulate their sleep hygiene and enhance their concentration in academic
performances.

Teachers. This will give them the information they need in order to encourage
and understand their students who are experiencing problems with their sleep,
wherein it can affect their concentration and performance in the class.

Parents. This will inform them of the importance and benefits of proper sleep
and help them guide their children. With a parent's guidance, their children will
perform better in school and at home.

Future researchers. This will help support their research related to sleep
deprivation and academic performance. This will also serve as their guide and
reference.

The University. This will give the school administrators insights into the
students' experiences regarding the factors leading to excessive academic demand.
Scope and Delimitation

The major variables in this study are sleep deprivation, concentration inside
the classroom, and academic performance.

This study aims to determine the effects of sleep duration on concentration

and academic performance inside the classroom. The students’ sleep quality,
concentration, and performance would be determined through survey
questionnaires. This will help trace the amount of sleep that students in this strand
will get and its effects on their ability to concentrate, remember information, and
do well in school. Academic performance is assessing their grades, participation in
class discussions, and the quality of their written assignments.

The research was conducted at the University of Cebu - Main Campus - Senior
High School Department. The Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) students
are the participants including both male and female students who consent to be part
of the study. This study sources data from recent academic records from AY
2024-2025.
Theoretical Background
This study is supported by a few theories that explain the correlation
between sleep deprivation, concentration, and academic performance. It is based
on Oswald's Restoration Theory, Baumeister's Cognitive (Ego) Depletion Theory,
and Broadbent's Attentional Theory.

Oswald's Restoration Theory emphasizes the need for adequate rest to

recover the energy lost throughout the day, essential for maintaining productivity
and health. Lack of sleep has a serious negative impact on students' ability to
concentrate and think clearly. When students do not get enough sleep, their brains
struggle to function optimally, making it difficult to focus, process information,
and remember details. According to Reed (2022), disruptions to restorative
processes interfere with concentration, leading to increased distractibility and
reduced motivation. This fatigue can hinder students' engagement in class activities
and their ability to complete tasks on time. Peters (2021) supports Oswald’s theory
by noting that many brain chemicals, including adenosine, build up during
wakefulness and contribute to sleepiness. During sleep, the brain "restocks" these
chemicals and clears out waste products from energy metabolism, ensuring optimal
functioning for the next day. Thus, following Oswald's principles of restorative
sleep is crucial for students to enhance their cognitive abilities and overall
well-being (Reed, 2022).

Cognitive (Ego) Depletion Theory, proposed by Roy Baumeister (2020),

suggests that people have limited mental resources for self-control and
decision-making. These mental resources eventually run out as we make decisions
during the day, which results in decision fatigue. This exhaustion makes it harder
and harder to focus and use willpower, which leads to a decrease in concentration.
Furthermore, stress intensifies this exhaustion by shifting mental resources, further
decreasing concentration and making one more easily distracted. This theoretical
framework illustrates how sleep deprivation may exacerbate the consequences of
decision fatigue, lead to mental exhaustion, and make it more difficult for students
to concentrate, especially when completing academic tasks.

Lastly, Broadbent’s Attentional Theory, also referred to as the Filter

Theory of Attention, states that attention acts as a bottleneck, allowing people to
process only a certain quantity of information to flow through it at any moment.
This theory provides insight into how sleep deprivation impacts the ability to filter
distractions and concentrate on important tasks. As a person's sleep debt increases,
they become less active and may struggle to multitask, with the decreased attention
making the sleep-deprived individual more prone to errors (Newsom & Dr. Singh,
2023).

These theories are combined in this study to explain how lack of sleep
impacts focus and academic achievement. Students who fail to get enough sleep
find it more difficult to concentrate since it impairs concentration. These theories
facilitate understanding of the relationship between academic success, sleep, and
attention.
Related Literature
The Restoration Theory, Cognitive Depletion Theory, and Attentional
Theory explain how the quality of sleep affects the normal physical health,
cognitive ability, and social engagement of the individual. Sleep deprivation can
impair the cognitive system leading to ineffective learning and memory elaboration
and can also promote a high level of desire and success in the learning
environment.

One of the major literature emphasizes the effects of sleep quality on

cognitive performance, particularly the most important aspects of it, such as
memory, attention, and problem-solving, which are crucial for any academic
activities. The issues of concern such as anxiety and sleep apnea among students
bring light to the need for education and social support throughout the schools.
Good practices of sleep hygiene, such as maintaining a regular sleeping pattern, are
known to enhance academic performance.

Firstly, research on the correlation between sleep quality and academic

performance has an uneven perspective for it includes such issues as insufficient
volume of longitudinal studies, lack of uniformity in the measurements within the
studies, and cultural aspects. Longitudinal research is also required in this case
because it is important to determine the impact of sleep deprivation on academic
performance over time. In addition, the existence of such differences in sleep
patterns and sleeping attitudes is seldom considered, thus, more appropriate
interventions are necessary.

Within the scope of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and its treatment,
it can be stated that the improvement of sleep hygiene practices and increased
awareness about sleep disorders can result in improvement in cognitive functioning
and academic performance in students. Filling the existing gaps in longitudinal
studies and interventions that are culturally appropriate.

Less Sleep Effects on Cognition Among Students. Many students

nowadays often compromise on sleep, which may have significant ramifications on
cognitive functions and subsequent academic performance. According to the study
by Vallejo (2019), when people consistently get less sleep than needed, they
accumulate what is known as a 'sleep debt,' which can have serious short and
long-term consequences. The accumulation of sleep debt has profound effects on
health, cognitive function, and overall quality of life. It can lead to reduced
alertness, impaired judgment, and lack of concentration. Sleep, an essential
component of overall health, plays a pivotal role in learning and cognitive function.
When students compromise on sleep, it inevitably leads to various academic
challenges, and it will affect their ability to comprehend and understand the lesson
being tackled. It will further affect their academic performance which will result in
lower grades expected. When students do not get enough rest, their ability to grasp
new concepts and information significantly diminishes. This results in decreased
comprehension and retention of academic material (Silvestre, 2019).

Being Sleep Deprived Affects Academic Performances. Sleep is crucial to

maintain people’s cognitive performance during wakefulness, when they are
carrying out their daily activities, such as studying and working. Total sleep
deprivation for more than 24-h decreases human performance on a variety of tasks
and activities, such as response speed (reaction time), memory, verbal
comprehension, as well as the efficiency of performing mathematical operations
(Garcia, 2021). Some students who lack sleep may often lose appetite, energy, and
comprehension. They would just lie in their bed and often have late and absences
in classes due to fatigue. In the experimental study of Garcia, Del Angel, Borrani,
Ramirez, and Valdez, the effects of sleep deprivation can cause reduced attention
span and focus. Total sleep deprivation for more than 24-h decreases human
performance on a variety of tasks and activities, such as response speed (reaction
time), memory, verbal comprehension, as well as the efficiency of performing
mathematical operations. It is important to recognize the negative effects of less
sleep on an individual’s cognitive abilities. Students may perform poorly in
academic performance which will possibly hinder their potential in intellectual
capacity.

Related Studies
Sleep Deprivation can cause not only in the cognition, but also in the
overall health of a human. Being sleep deprived can pose significant unhealthy
lifestyles that may negatively impact and damage our lives. In addition, students
who are sleep deprived can affect their academic performance which will result in
bad grades. However, not all students who are sleep-deprived perform badly at
school, some may often still perform actively and participate and can still
concentrate and focus on class, but being sleep-deprived can inevitably hinder their
fullest potential to perform. One better way to resolve sleep deprivation is to
organize and set schedules effectively (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Some students are
working students and it may conflict with the time wherein they need to finish their
homework, research, and projects that may usually take time to finish. As a result,
they don’t have rest and proper time management due to overloaded schedules and
bombarded academic challenges. However, setting proper time and goals can help
reduce hectic schedules. It's important to take a rest between work and study to
preserve energy and power.

Scrolling on your phone or laptop before you go to bed could make it harder
for you to fall asleep or stay asleep, possibly leading to chronic sleep deprivation.
At night, exposing your eyes to the artificial light that screens put off can hinder
your sleep as well as your alertness and mood the next day (Mindel, 2023). To
have a good rest and sleep, limiting your screen time can be a huge help. Some
students often keep scrolling on different social networks such as YouTube,
TikTok, and Facebook which will make it difficult for them to fall asleep. Another
way of reducing sleeplessness, especially in class, is to start being disciplined and
create a healthy lifestyle by setting a goal and prioritizing health. Being
sleep-deprived is a real struggle for students. It may affect their academic
performance and lack of concentration which will negatively result in bad grades
and poor cognitive abilities. According to the study of Kamaruzihan (2023), screen
time has been found to affect sleep quality negatively. Despite numerous studies
proving that poor sleep quality and excessive screen time are prevalent among
school children and university students.
 THE PROBLEM

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of sleep deprivation on

concentration levels and academic performance among Grade 12 HUMSS students
at the University of Cebu - Main, SHS Department for the academic year
2024-2025.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the respondents’ profiling in terms of:

1.1 Age,
1.2 Gender?

2. What is the average self-reported sleep duration in hours and sleep quality score
on a standardized scale among Grade 12 HUMSS students, indicating the extent of
sleep deprivation?

3. How does sleep deprivation, indicated by self-reported sleep duration and

quality, affect the concentration levels of HUMSS students during academic tasks,
in terms of:

3.1 ability to focus,

3.2 retain information, and
3.3 complete assignments efficiently?
4. What is the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and quality, and the
concentration levels of Grade 12 HUMSS students, as measured by performance
on standardized concentration tasks or assessments?

5. Based on the study's findings, what enhancements can be suggested to help

improve sleep quality and concentration among Grade 12 HUMSS students?

Statement of Null Hypothesis

At 0.05 level of significance, the hypothesis was tested:

Ho: There is no significant relationship between sleep deprivation and the

lack of concentration in the academic performance of Grade 12 HUMSS students.
Research Methodology
The standardized methodologies that will be employed in the study are
covered in this paper. The research design, environment, respondents, instruments,
data gathering procedure, and data analysis procedure are all discussed.

Research Design
This study utilized the non-experimental design of conducting the research.
Specifically, it used the correlational approach to correlate the relationship between
sleep deprivation, lack of concentration, and academic performance. This research
aims to identify how not getting enough sleep might affect a student's ability to
focus and how it impacts their grades. Thus, this research provides several coping
strategies and methods to help students improve their concentration and academic
outcomes.

Research Environment
The researchers in this study are from the University of Cebu SHS
department, located at J. Alcantara Street, Brgy. Sambag 1, Cebu City. Its vision
shines out as collaborative, informative, and empathetic, with respect for students
while eventually giving meaningful insights into how sleep deprivation might be
shaping their academic and mental lives. It also promotes healthy sleep habits that
can enhance focus, academic performance, and general well-being by educating
students and schools about the value of sleep for learning.
Research Respondents
The study “The Impact of Sleep Deprivation to the Lack of Concentration in
Academic Performance of Grade 12 HUMSS Students” aims to gather data from
Grade 12 HUMSS students from the University of Cebu Senior High School
Department. The researchers will have thirty (30) respondents to collect the data
needed for the study. The researchers specifically chose sleep-deprived students to
effectively connect their sleep patterns to their concentration and academic
performance in the study. The respondents may be selected by asking students who
are having difficulties sleeping, in their respective classrooms.

Research Instrument
Standardized questionnaires were used in this study to evaluate thinking
abilities, attention management, and sleep quality. The frequency of sleep-related
problems and overall quality of sleep were determined using the Sleep Quality
Scale (SQS). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) gives a thorough
assessment of sleep quality, which covers variables like sleep duration, disruptions,
and problems during the day. Participants' capacity to concentrate and pay attention
in the face of distractions was evaluated using the Attention Control Scale (ACS).
Finally, the respondents’ self-reported thinking skills, including memory, attention,
and problem-solving ability, were assessed using the Cognitive Assessment
Questionnaire (CAQ). All of these tools together provided useful information
about how sleep, attention, and thinking abilities are related.
Data Gathering Procedure
In data collection, a survey was conducted using printed questionnaires, and
Grade 12 students from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand were
chosen to participate. The researchers chose thirty (30) respondents from the
University of Cebu's main campus senior high school department and had them
complete the survey. Before distributing the printed surveys, the researchers issued
a transmittal letter to be signed and approved by the principal. After the letter was
signed and returned, the researchers contacted the chosen responders via
messenger and phone number. The researchers then distributed the questionnaires
to the selected students in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand.
The researchers allow participants to complete the questionnaire during
face-to-face classes. A consent letter and a confidentiality clause letter are
included, to ensure the respondents’ responses will be kept confidential and will
not be disclosed. As a result, their signature was required to verify that they had
been properly informed and had agreed to participate. Finally, the researchers
gathered all the papers from the thirty (30) respondents.

Data Analysis Procedure

The data collected will be analyzed using the following methods to
determine the effects of sleep deprivation on students and their academic
performance:

1. Descriptive Statistics: Descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard

deviation, range, minimum, maximum, frequency distribution, and percentage) will
be used to summarize the collected data on sleep duration, sleep quality (using a
validated sleep quality scale), and academic performance (e.g., GPA, test scores,
class grades).
2. Correlation Analysis: Pearson's correlation coefficient will be used to examine
the relationship between sleep duration, sleep quality, and academic performance.
This will determine the strength and direction of the linear association between
these variables. A statistically significant correlation would suggest that sleep
deprivation is associated with lower academic performance.

3. Regression Analysis: Multiple linear regression will be used to investigate the

predictive power of sleep duration and sleep quality on academic performance,
controlling for other relevant factors such as age, gender, study habits, and stress
levels. This will help to determine the relative contribution of sleep deprivation to
academic performance.
Definition of Terms
The key terminologies used in this study are presented below and are defined for
clarity. They are as follows:

Sleep Deprivation - the condition of not getting enough sleep, resulting in

reduced mental and physical performance.
Concentration - the ability to focus attention on a specific task or activity
without distraction.
Academic Performance - the measurable outcomes of a student's
educational achievement, such as grades or test scores.
Correlation - a relationship between two or more variables indicates how
one may influence another.
Respondents - the individuals who participate in the study by providing data
or answers to questionnaires.
HUMSS - the strand dedicated to subjects like Humanities and Social
Sciences in the University of Cebu - Main Senior High School Department.
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