Night Owls More Prone to Depression than Morn-risers
Abstract Chronotype, an individual’s intrinsic preference for activity timing across the 24-hour cycle, has emerged as a significant determinant of mental health. This review explores the relationship between evening chronotype (commonly termed "night owl") and increased susceptibility to depression. Multiple population-based studies and meta-analyses indicate that individuals with a preference for later sleep-wake cycles exhibit a higher incidence of depressive symptoms compared to morning chronotypes. Mechanistically, this association is attributed to circadian misalignment, social jetlag, reduced exposure to morning light, and maladaptive behavioral patterns, including poor sleep hygiene and irregular routines. Genetic analyses further corroborate these findings, demonstrating that chronotype is partially heritable and linked to neurobiological pathways involved in mood regulation. Importantly, chronotype modification through behavioral and light-based interventions has b...