Abstract: Objective To analyze the current situation of boredom and insomnia in different groups of college students, and to explore the influence of boredom on insomnia based on propensity score matching (PSM). Methods We conducted a prevalence study, and 905 college students selected by convenient sampling with class as the unit were investigated using the Chinese Version of the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale, Athens Insomnia Scale, Self-rating Depression Scale, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and general information questionnaire. A total of 317 college students with insomnia and 317 college students with non-insomnia were included by 1∶1 PSM. Results After PSM, the interference variables of insomnia and non-insomnia were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The area under the ROC curve of boredom was 0.780, and the cut-off value 85.5. The total score of boredom ≥85.5 was identified as high boredom, with sensitivity and specificity of 66.9%, and 75.1% respectively. The positive predictive value was 72.9%, and the negative predictive value 69.3%. Insomnia was found in 44.1% of the college students and high boredom in 42.5% of the college students. Before PSM, boredom (OR=4.613), engineering (OR=2.363), science (OR=1.881), literature (OR=2.141), falling in love (OR=1.571), depression (OR=2.250) and anxiety (OR=4.803) were independent risk factors for insomnia. After PSM, the risk of insomnia in students with high boredom (OR=6.083) was higher than that in students with low boredom. Conclusion The proportion of college students with high boredom is high, as well as the incidence of insomnia. Boredom ≥85.5 is risk factors for insomnia. Targeted intervention for insomnia and boredom in college students should be considered.

Key words: propensity score matching, boredom, insomnia, college student