Night owls face higher depression risk, surrey study reveals
Scientists from the University of Surrey have discovered that individuals who fall asleep late are more prone to depression. Key factors contributing to this include sleep quality, alcohol consumption, and mindfulness levels.
According to the Polish Press Agency, research by scientists at the University of Surrey indicates that people who prefer to fall asleep late are at a greater risk of depression. The study involved 546 students who filled out an online questionnaire about their sleep patterns, mindfulness levels, tendency to ruminate on difficult experiences, and alcohol consumption.
The results of the study confirmed that individuals with an evening chronotype, often referred to as "night owls," are more susceptible to depression. Poor sleep quality, higher alcohol intake, and lower mindfulness levels are factors that may explain this connection. Compared to "early risers," these individuals often experience sleep problems and consume alcohol more frequently.
The authors of the study note certain limitations in their work. Primarily, the study was based on data collected at a single point in time, which does not allow for a definitive determination of causality. Additionally, the results may not be applicable to age groups beyond young adults.
Potential interventions
Despite these limitations, scientists suggest that interventions aiming to improve sleep quality, enhance mindfulness, and reduce alcohol consumption could help lower the risk of depression, particularly 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 findings may be significant for those focused on improving the mental health of young people, highlighting specific areas that may require intervention.
