The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress in the Association Between Sleep Quality and Health-Related Quality of Life Among University Students

This study examined the mediating role of perceived stress in the association between poor sleep quality and physical and mental quality of life (QoL) among Turkish university students. A cross-sectional study design was used, and data were collected from 287 undergraduate students using self-report measures, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, and the SF-12 Quality of Life Scale. The descriptive findings showed poor sleep quality among Turkish university students (M = 8.27). Mediation analyses were conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 4) with the errors-in-variables regression approach, and 5,000 bootstrap resamples. The indirect association between poor sleep quality and physical QoL through perceived stress was not statistically significant (B = -0.186, 95% CI [−0.514, 0.135]), whereas the indirect association with mental QoL was statistically significant (B = -1.381, 95% CI [−1.931, −0.938]). Poorer sleep quality was associated with higher perceived stress, and higher perceived stress was associated with lower mental QoL. Overall, these results suggest that perceived stress may play a mediating role specifically in the association between poor sleep quality and mental QoL. These findings highlight the need for preventive interventions that promote healthier sleep habits and strengthen stress management among university students, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being.