Late chronotypes show lower scores on a combined measure of emotional wellbeing: a study in the general population in Greece

ABSTRACT

Chronotypes describe morningness/eveningness preference Society is morning-oriented and late chronotypes suffer and function in hours that are different from their innate preference (social jetlag). Data suggest links between chronotypes and psychological wellbeing, but relationships are unclear. We explore this relationship using a combined measure representing different domains of psychological wellbeing. Participants (177 adults) were reached through social media and asked to answer questionnaires including demographic and health information; morningness/eveningness (MEQ); State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y-1 (STAI-Y1); Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale (RASS); and Quality of Life Uniscale (QoL). Data were transformed using Z-Scores and summed to generate a “Psychological wellbeing” variable. Three variables survived the regression model as contributors to wellbeing: chronotype, general health and past mental health issues. Chronotypes therefore have a significant effect on psychological wellbeing and as a society we may want to take action to assist late chronotypes overcome their challenge.

KEYWORDS:

• Circadian rhythms
• quality of life
• emotionality
• depression
• anxiety

Disclosure statement

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

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.