Psychosomatic conditions in university students related to melatonin biological rhythm and cortisol morning levels

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the lifestyle of today’s youth by identifying characteristics of melatonin and cortisol that affect biological rhythms in university students. We investigated the relationships between morning cortisol levels and psychosomatic conditions to examine the effects of biological rhythm on psychosomatic conditions and daytime sleepiness. To analyse biological rhythms, salivary melatonin and cortisol levels were measured by a fluorescence enzyme immunoassay. We determined that (1) the biological rhythms of melatonin and cortisol have important effects on students’ daytime psychosomatic conditions and (2) morning cortisol levels are associated with daytime psychosomatic conditions. In contrast, although some positive correlations between morning cortisol levels and mental symptoms after napping (feelings of melancholy, anxiety) were confirmed, no correlation with physical symptoms was identified.

KEYWORDS:

• Biological rhythm
• salivary melatonin and cortisol
• morning cortisol levels
• psychosomatic conditions
• napping

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

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