Night Owls Face Higher Depression Risk, Study Finds

University of Surrey research links evening chronotypes to poor sleep, alcohol use, and low mindfulness as key factors in depression risk among young adults.

• A study of 546 university students found that individuals with an evening chronotype, or night owls, are at a higher risk of depression than early risers.
• Key factors contributing to this increased risk include poor sleep quality, higher alcohol consumption, and lower mindfulness levels.
• Young adults, whose biological tendencies often lean toward evening chronotypes, are particularly vulnerable to these risks.
• Social jetlag, caused by a mismatch between natural body clocks and daily schedules, was identified as a factor leading to poorer sleep quality in night owls.
• Researchers suggest interventions such as improving sleep quality, fostering mindfulness, and moderating alcohol use to help reduce depression risks in this group.

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