A STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND MENTAL HEALTH: IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY

Abstract

Chronic sleep deprivation has emerged as a pervasive public health concern in modern society, with profound implications for cognitive performance and mental well-being. This study employs a mixed-methods, problem-based approach to investigate the multi-faceted impact of restricted sleep on executive function, memory, emotional regulation, and psychological health. A cohort of 500 adults aged 25-60 was stratified into two groups: a sleep-restricted group (≤6 hours/night for 14 consecutive days) and a control group (7-9 hours/night). Quantitative assessments included a battery of cognitive tests (N-back, Trail Making Test, Psychomotor Vigilance Task), standardized mental health inventories (DASS-21, PSS-10), and salivary cortisol measurements. Qualitative data were gathered via structured interviews and sleep diaries. Results demonstrated a significant and progressive decline in the sleep-restricted group across all cognitive domains. Specifically, working memory accuracy decreased by 32%, and executive function reaction times slowed by 41% compared to controls (p<0.001). Mental health assessments revealed a 150% increase in self-reported anxiety symptoms and a 90% increase in depressive symptoms within the restricted group. Cortisol profiles exhibited a dysregulated diurnal rhythm, indicative of heightened physiological stress. Crucially, the study identified a dose-response relationship, where each successive night of restricted sleep compounded cognitive deficits and negative mood states. These findings underscore sleep deprivation not as a mere inconvenience but as a critical risk factor for impaired daytime functioning and the development of psychopathology. The study concludes with a robust call for the integration of sleep health into public health policy, advocating for public awareness campaigns, workplace sleep hygiene programs, and later school start times to mitigate this silent epidemic.