Many of these risky behaviors are likely to take place at night. Students who are out partying and drinking are likely to be doing this at night, which will cut down into their sleep time.
The implication of this study is that the lack of sleep is causing the risky behaviors. However, saying that risky behavior caused less sleep could also be as reasonable an implication.
The implication of this study is that the lack of sleep is causing the risky behaviors. However, saying that risky behavior caused less sleep could also be as reasonable an implication.