Night owls at higher risk of depression, study reveals
Scientists from the University of Surrey have discovered that people who fall asleep late are more susceptible to depression. Key factors include sleep quality, alcohol consumption, and mindfulness levels.
According to the BBC, research conducted by scientists from the University of Surrey showed that people who prefer going to sleep late are more prone to depression. The study involved 546 students who completed an online questionnaire about their sleep patterns, mindfulness levels, tendency to ruminate on difficult experiences, and alcohol consumption.
The research results confirmed that people with an evening chronotype, often called "night owls," are more susceptible to depression. Poorer sleep quality, higher alcohol consumption, and lower mindfulness levels are factors that may explain this link. Compared to "early risers," these individuals experience more sleep problems and consume alcohol more often.
The authors of the study note that their work has certain limitations. Most importantly, the study was based on data collected at a single point in time, which does not allow for a clear determination of causality. Furthermore, the results may not apply to age groups other than young adults.
Potential interventions
Despite these limitations, the researchers suggest that interventions focused on improving sleep quality, increasing mindfulness, and reducing alcohol consumption may help reduce the risk of depression, especially among young adults.
"Given that many young adults struggle with mental health issues, the results of this study are particularly important. Many young adults tend to stay up late and the results point to how interventions could be implemented to reduce their risk of depression," emphasize the researchers.
These results may be significant for those working on improving the mental health of young people, highlighting specific areas that may require intervention.
