Mediation analysis of circadian preferences and other behavioral and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being in undergraduate students

ABSTRACT

Undergraduate students are usually subjected to a routine with constant pressure, stress, circadian misalignment, and sleep irregularity that impairs their subjective well-being. Recent evidence suggests that circadian preference is also a risk factor for impaired mental health and factors related to subjective well-being. This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being and describe the mediating behavioral variables. Between September 2018 and March 2021, 615 Brazilian students enrolled in higher educational institutions completed an electronic form containing questionnaires on subjective well-being, sociodemographic, and behavioral-related factors (convenience sample). A statistical mediation model was applied to describe how these variables influence subjective well-being. We observed that Morningness (p < .001), identification with the male gender (p = .010), not working while studying (p = .048), and the practice of Pilates/yoga (p = .028) were associated with greater subjective well-being. Except for employment status, no direct effects were observed, which reinforces the need to consider a multidimensional approach. The relationship between subjective well-being and sociodemographic factors exists only in the presence of behavioral mediators, specifically perceived stress, daytime sleepiness, symptoms of depression, sleep quality, and positive and negative affects. Future work should investigate in more detail the impact of sleep, stress, and circadian preferences on this relationship.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Behavioral symptoms
• circadian rhythms
• health
• student health services
• sociological factors

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the volunteers who made this study possible, the research team for their work and dedication, the funding agencies, the Dean of Student Affairs at UNIFESP and the Centro Universitario Sao Camilo communication network.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) through a scholarship to JRSV, and fellowships to ST, MD and VD’A; the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES); the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) through a scholarship for HMST and research fund Proc. # [2018/18889-8]; and the Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP).