Chronotypes are significantly associated with emotional well-being in a general population cohort in Hungary

Abstract

Abstract Chronotypes reflect individual differences in the preference for wake and sleep times within a 24-hour period. They have been linked to emotional well-being, yet findings remain inconsistent, potentially due to variations in study populations, methodologies, and measures of emotional well-being. This study aimed to clarify the contribution of chronotypes to emotional well-being while controlling for demographic variables in a large cohort of 1,120 participants from the general population in Hungary. Emotional well-being was assessed using validated self-report measures, including the Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait (STAI-T), and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Chronotypes were determined using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Comprehensive stepwise regression analyses were performed to evaluate relationships between demographic factors, chronotypes, and emotional well-being. Statistical analyses revealed that individuals with evening chronotypes were more likely to report lower emotional well-being, even after adjusting for demographic factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Regression models demonstrated the unique contribution of chronotypes to emotional well-being, highlighting the vulnerability of evening types. These findings underscore the importance of considering chronotypes in understanding emotional health and suggest potential directions for chronotype-specific interventions to promote mental well-being.