The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance and Emotional Regulation

Abstract

Sleep is a fundamental biological process essential for cognitive functioning and emotional regulation. This study investigates the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance and emotional stability. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, 100 participants were divided into sleep deprivation and control groups, with cognitive and emotional assessments administered before and after sleep manipulation. Quantitative results demonstrated significant cognitive impairments in attention, memory, and executive functions among sleep-deprived individuals. Emotional assessments revealed heightened negative affect, decreased positive affect, and increased physio-logical markers of emotional arousal in the sleep deprivation group. Qualitative interviews further underscored participants' experiences of heightened irritability and mood instability. The study integrates cognitive-energetic, neurocognitive, and emotion regulation models to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects. The findings highlight the critical importance of adequate sleep for cognitive and emotional health and emphasize the need for public health interventions promoting better sleep hygiene.