Aug 22, 2014 03:35 PM EDT By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

College students -- who are typically more sleep deprived than the general population and often ignore the health benefits of adequate slumber -- have trouble managing their stress, according to a recent study.

Researchers from the University of Alabama found that this has a lot to do with poor sleep.

"Sleep is extremely important to overall health," researchers said in the study. "Poor sleep has short-term consequences on mood, concentration, higher learning .... It also has long-term ramifications on our overall health. Research has found links between poor sleep and diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity."

For the study, researchers recently surveyed nearly 200 University of Cincinnati college students about their sleep behaviors and attitudes. Students in the study were employed undergraduates who operated motor vehicles and who were not diagnosed with sleep disorders.

Students in the study cited job stress and a lack of time as the two greatest factors that prevented them from getting enough sleep.

"About 33 percent of the general population receives insufficient sleep versus about 60 percent of the college population," researcher Adam Knowlden said in a statement. "One of the main differences is that college students' ability to get sufficient sleep is more within their control, whereas the general adult population is more likely to be dealing with medical sleep disorders."

Compared to the general population, college students have different factors that can interfere with their sleeping patterns, Researchers said. They also cited having nighttime environments conducive to sleep, reducing mental and physical stress and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule as factors they believed most important in ensuring sufficient sleep.

'Students may be experiencing a new level of independence and can struggle to find the balance between juggling classes, finances, social lives, athletics, volunteer work, parental expectations and employment," Knowlden said. "While most students see sleep in a positive light, most are unaware of practices that can improve their sleep. Learning how to manage time and finances, for example, are two key ways to help students reduce stress."

Obtaining sufficient sleep -- seven to eight hours a day -- is important for all, Knowlden added.

The findings will be published in a forthcoming issue of Family & Community Health.

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