Associations of sleep patterns, technology use and eating habits with self-reported cognitive function among Malaysian undergraduates
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55573/JISED.118782Keywords:
cognitive function, eating habits, multiple linear regression, sleep pattern, technology use, Malaysian undergraduatesAbstract
University students' cognitive functioning may be associated with modifiable lifestyle behaviours, but sleep, technology use, and eating habits are often examined separately. This cross-sectional study investigated their bivariate and adjusted associations with self-reported cognitive function among 85 Malaysian undergraduate students at Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Kelantan, Kampus Kota Bharu. Data were collected using a bilingual questionnaire containing six items per construct and analysed using reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Higher sleep, eating-habits, and cognitive-function scores represented healthier sleep, healthier eating, and better perceived cognition after reverse coding the specified negative items. Technology items were retained in their original direction, so higher scores represented more intensive or problematic use. Sleep pattern was positively correlated with cognitive function, r = .322, 95% CI [.117, .501], p = .003; technology use, r = .160, 95% CI [-.055, .361], p = .143, and eating habits, r = .205, 95% CI [-.008, .401], p = .060, were not statistically significant. The regression model was significant, F(3, 81) = 6.724, p < .001, R-squared = .199. Sleep pattern and technology use had significant adjusted coefficients, whereas eating habits did not. The positive adjusted technology coefficient was counterintuitive under the retained coding and is compatible with a suppression-type pattern. The findings are associational and require replication with fully documented scoring, participant profiles, and objective measures.
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