A recent research concludes that having an “evening chronotype,” or staying up late, is linked to a higher risk of depression. Researchers analyzed data from 546 college students and discovered that this association is influenced by sleeping quality, alcohol intake, and meditation levels.
In comparison to night chronotypes, night chronotypes had worse sleep, consumed more alcohol, and were less mindful. These variables may contribute to the risk of mental illness in young people, according to the research.
Important Information
- Nap Quality Matters: Evening chronotypes reported lessening sleeping, which has an impact on mental well-being.
- Mindfulness Connection: A higher risk of depression was associated with a lower level of awareness.
- Alcohol Consumption: Late-drinkers consumed more liquor, which increased their risk of depression.
PLOS One supply
A new research by Simon Evans of the University of Surrey, UK, and associates published on March 19, 2025, in the open-access journal PLOS One. Mindfulness, full sleep quality, and alcohol intake may contribute to the explanation of why those who stay up late are more likely to experience depression.
According to previous research, night owls who stay up late, or “evening chronotypes,” exhibit more depressive symptoms than those who are “morning chronotypes” or “early risers” ( morning chronotypes ) do.
Through an online survey, Evans and associates collected data from 546 college students. The kids ‘ sleep patterns, awareness, meditation impulses, alcohol use, and depression and anxiety rates were included in the self-reported information.
The study found that people who had an hour chronotype had a significantly higher risk of depression, and that this could be due to differences in their levels of meditation, sleep quality, and alcohol intake. Night chronotypes acted with less meditation and had lower sleep quality, a higher alcohol consumption, and were on average, like night chronotypes.
Because of its cross-sectional pattern, which simply relied on data at one time point, the study’s ability to demonstrate cause and effect was limited. Additionally, the findings may not be applicable to age groups other than the college students enrolled in the research.
In light of those limitations, the writers come to the conclusion that initiatives aimed at meditation, slumber, and alcohol use might have the power to lower depression risk, particularly among young adults.
The authors conclude by saying that “many young people tend to stay up later and the findings point to how initiatives could be implemented to reduce their risk of depression,” because many young people are experiencing poor mental health.
About this study on sleep and melancholy
Author: Hanna Abdallah
Source: PLOS
Contact: Hanna Abdallah – PLOS
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Classic research: Free of charge.
Yatagan Sevim G and others ‘” Mindfulness mediates the relationship between chronotype and melancholy signs in fresh people.” PLOS ONE
Abstract
In younger people, awareness is the mediator of chronotype and melancholy symptoms.
Background
Even though the causes are questionable, chronotypes are associated with a higher risk of depression. Mindfulness, sleep value, contemplation, and alcohol use are possible influencing factors, but research is lacking.
Methods
We used cross-sectional data from a university student sample ( N , = 546 ) to investigate the role of these variables in the relationship between chronotype and depressive symptoms in young adults.
Results
Evening-types had significantly higher levels of meditation and alcohol use, as well as significantly higher levels of depression signs, poor sleep, and lower rates of “acting with attention” and “describing.” According to analysis of media, the association between chronotype and melancholy was entirely mediated by “acting with awareness,” “describing,”, sleep quality, and alcohol consumption.
Limitations
No direct inferences can be drawn because the cross-sectional design used merely subjective measurements.
Conclusion
The mediation results demonstrate how important it is that certain mindfulness characteristics, rest, and alcohol consumption play in explaining why evening types are more likely to have depression. These findings have implications for future interventions aimed at lowering depression risk in young adults in particular.
