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Why Don’t We Sleep Enough? A Field Experiment among College Students

Author

Listed:
  • Mallory Avery

    (Monash University)

  • Osea Giuntella

    (University of Pittsburgh, IZA, and NBER)

  • Peiran Jiao

    (Maastricht University and Nuffield College)

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanisms affecting sleep choice and explores whether commitment devices and monetary incentives can be used to promote healthier sleep habits. To this end, we conducted a field experiment with college students, providing them incentives to sleep and collecting data from wearable activity trackers, surveys, and time-use diaries. Monetary incentives were effective in increasing sleep duration with some evidence of persistence after the incentive was removed. We uncover evidence of demand for commitment. Our results are consistent with partially sophisticated time-inconsistent preferences and overconfidence and have implications for the effectiveness of information interventions on sleep choice.

Suggested Citation

  • Mallory Avery & Osea Giuntella & Peiran Jiao, 2025. "Why Don’t We Sleep Enough? A Field Experiment among College Students," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 107(1), pages 65-77, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:107:y:2025:i:1:p:65-77
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01242
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