Sleep in Chilean university students: differences between subjective perception and objective sleep measurement

University students are particularly vulnerable to poor sleep quality due to lifestyle factors, which can negatively affect physical and mental health, academic performance and overall well-being. This study aimed to characterize sleep patterns among Chilean university students by examining the congruence between subjective sleep assessments and objective sleep metrics. Twenty-four students from two universities participated, with objective sleep parameters recorded over seven consecutive days using sports wristbands, while subjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Based on PSQI scores, 87.5% of participants were classified as poor sleepers. Objective data indicated an average rest time of 6.3 hours and a high frequency of nocturnal awakenings (18.2 per night). A significant incongruence between subjective and objective measures was observed: 37.5% of participants reported good subjective sleep quality, whereas objective measures indicated the opposite. Both subjective assessments and objective measures indicate that most students spend less time than recommended in the resting state, despite reporting good sleep quality, highlighting the importance of addressing misperceptions about sleep quality among university populations and suggesting that future research should further examine factors contributing to this discrepancy.