Search Results (19)

Background: Sleep procrastination is a prevalent health behavior problem among college students, yet the psychological mechanisms through which perceived stress influences this behavior remain incompletely understood. Drawing upon Temporal Self-Regulation Theory, this study aimed to explore the relationship between perceived stress and sleep procrastination among college students with a particular focus on the serial mediating roles of depression and inhibitory control. Results: The mean sleep procrastination score was 37.20 ± 3.88. Perceived stress was significantly positively correlated with sleep procrastination (r = 0.596, p < 0.01) and depression (r = 0.605, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with inhibitory control (r = −0.520, p < 0.01). Mediation analyses revealed that depression (indirect effect = 0.180, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.147, 0.215]) and inhibitory control (indirect effect = 0.042, 95% CI [0.021, 0.064]) independently mediated the relationship between perceived stress and sleep procrastination. Moreover, a significant serial mediation pathway through depression followed by inhibitory control was identified (indirect effect = 0.014, 95% CI [0.007, 0.023]). Conclusions: These findings indicated that perceived stress is associated with sleep procrastination both directly and indirectly through sequential associations involving depression and inhibitory control. Specifically, higher perceived stress corresponded to greater depressive symptoms, which in turn were related to reduced inhibitory control, and this chain of associations is further linked to increased sleep procrastination. This study provides a novel theoretical contribution by an associative chain mediation mechanism underlying sleep procrastination. Practical implications include the potential value of stress reduction interventions, depression management, and inhibitory control training as strategies to mitigate sleep procrastination among college students. Full article

Depression has been a pressing mental health concern among contemporary adolescents. Accumulating evidence suggests that individuals’ circadian preference—chronotype—may be associated with adolescent depression, yet the potential mediating and moderating roles within this association have received limited attention in existing research. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between chronotype and depression among adolescents, as well as the mediating role of bedtime procrastination and the moderating role of parental psychological control. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 4324 adolescents (63.9% female; mean age = 16.24 ± 0.92 years) using a questionnaire survey method. All participants completed self-report measurements, including the Composite Morningness Questionnaire (CMQ), Bedtime Procrastination Scale (BPS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Parental Psychological Control Scale (PPCS). The results showed that chronotype was significantly and negatively associated with depression among adolescents (β = −0.461, p < 0.001). Bedtime procrastination partially mediated the association between chronotype and adolescent depression (β = −0.257, 95%CI [−0.283, −0.232]), with a mediating effect size of 55.75%. Moreover, parental psychological control moderated the direct association between chronotype and depression (β = −0.043, 95%CI [−0.070, −0.016]), as well as the association between bedtime procrastination and depression (β = 0.120, 95%CI [0.092, 0.148]). Specifically, high levels of parental control were linked to a more pronounced relationship between chronotype and depression, as well as a stronger association between bedtime procrastination and depression. These findings advance our understanding of how chronotype is related to adolescent depression, and suggest that multilevel interventions targeting sleep hygiene practices and family dynamics may be promising for reducing depressive risk among vulnerable adolescents. However, given the cross-sectional design, future longitudinal or experimental studies are needed to establish temporal precedence and further test these associations. Full article

Background: Research on social media use, fear of missing out (FoMO), sleep disturbance, and health complaints has been dominated by survey-based studies, particularly among adolescents and university students. Less is known about how users spontaneously describe these experiences in naturalistic online settings. This exploratory pilot study examined how publicly available Reddit discussions narrate the relationship between social media use, FoMO-related concern, sleep disruption, and self-reported physical complaints. Methods: A total of 30 publicly available English-language Reddit posts and comments were purposively sampled from 11 threads dated August 2022 to March 2026. The study used exploratory qualitative content analysis supported by reflexive thematic interpretation. Structured indicators were used to describe whether each unit contained explicit FoMO language, implicit FoMO-related concern, sleep disturbance, physical health complaints, and nighttime use or sleep loss. Thematic coding was used to identify dominant discourse patterns. All counts and percentages are reported only to characterize the analytic corpus and should not be interpreted as prevalence estimates. Results: Within the corpus, sleep disturbance appeared in 16 of 30 units, nighttime use or sleep loss in 15, physical health complaints in 11, explicit FoMO language in 6, and implicit FoMO-related concern in 3. The dominant themes were delayed sleep and bedtime displacement, somatic and cognitive overload, self-regulation and recovery, and compulsive monitoring and comparison. Sleep-related complaints were usually described alongside bedtime scrolling, delayed disengagement, or lost sleep opportunity. FoMO-related concern was less often expressed through formal terminology and more often appeared through everyday descriptions of checking, comparison, and difficulty disconnecting. Conclusions: This small exploratory corpus suggests that Reddit users often describe social media-related strain through practical behavioral language, such as late-night scrolling, inability to stop, lost sleep, next-day fatigue, headache, and brain fog. The findings are descriptive, discourse-focused, and hypothesis-generating. They do not estimate population prevalence or establish causal health effects. To improve transparency, the revised study provides a de-identified analytic matrix of all 30 coded Reddit units and reports a strengthened coding procedure with independent second-coder checking. Naturally occurring online discourse may complement survey-based digital-health research by showing how users themselves frame the embodied experience of digital over-engagement. Full article

Bedtime procrastination is linked to poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and altered sleep timing. Identifying the factors influencing this behavior is crucial. Among them, problematic smartphone use can delay bedtime. State boredom, a multidimensional concept (high and low arousal, disengagement, inattention, and time perception), triggers problematic smartphone use as a way to cope with boredom, resulting in delayed bedtime and sleep–wake issues. This study aimed to test mediation models where state boredom predicts sleep-related outcomes both directly and indirectly through smartphone addiction and bedtime procrastination. A total of 259 participants (138 women; mean age = 38.44 years) completed an online survey, including the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire, Bedtime Procrastination Scale, Mobile Addiction Scale, Multidimensional State Boredom Scale, and measures of sleep timing on workdays and free days. Results showed significant positive associations among all variables. Mediation analyses revealed that state boredom directly predicted poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, and indirectly predicted smartphone addiction and bedtime procrastination. Additionally, boredom indirectly influenced sleep timing via bedtime procrastination. Overall, the findings suggest that boredom can lead to problematic smartphone use, which in turn delays bedtime, resulting in poorer sleep quality, increased daytime sleepiness, and delayed sleep timing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nomophobia, the irrational fear of being without a mobile phone, is increasingly prevalent among university students and has emerged as a concerning form of digital dependence. Among nursing students, this condition is particularly relevant due to the emotional demands and cognitive challenges of healthcare education. Nomophobia has been linked with adverse psychological outcomes, sleep disturbances, and impaired academic and clinical performance. However, existing evidence remains fragmented and lacks an integrated conceptual synthesis. This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the prevalence, correlates, and outcomes of nomophobia among nursing students. Methods: An integrative review was conducted following Whittemore and Knafl’s methodology and PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, and Medline (between 2015 and 2025), supplemented by Google Scholar. Cross-sectional studies and literature focusing on nomophobia in nursing students were included. The primary studies and selected review articles were considered when no overlap with the included primary evidence was identified. Methodological quality appraisal was assessed using validated tools (QuADS and JBI). Results: Twenty-two studies were included (19 cross-sectional and 3 reviews). Four thematic areas emerged: prevalence and severity (50–90% moderate to severe); psychological correlates (anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, alexithymia, fear of missing out); academic and cognitive outcomes (impaired performance, procrastination, reduced decision-making); and behavioural predictors (excessive smartphone use and emotional dysregulation). The Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) was the most frequently used instrument. Conclusions: Nomophobia represents a relevant dimension of the mind–technology relationship in nursing education, with implications for students’ mental health, academic engagement, and clinical readiness. Addressing nomophobia may support healthier learning environments and contribute to the development of emotionally competent and safe future healthcare professionals. However, significant gaps remain, particularly regarding longitudinal evidence and intervention-based approaches. Full article

This umbrella review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence on the relationship between digital device use and adolescent sleep. It summarizes results from systematic reviews and meta-analyses, presenting the magnitude and direction of observed associations. A total of seven systematic reviews, including five qualitative reviews and two meta-analyses, were included, comprising 127 primary studies with a combined sample of 867,003 participants. The findings suggest a negative impact of digital device use on various sleep parameters, including sleep duration, bedtime procrastination, and sleep quality. Devices such as smartphones and computers were found to have a greater adverse effect, while television use showed a weaker association. The most significant disruptions were observed in relation to social media and internet use, with problematic usage leading to delayed bedtimes, shorter sleep duration, and increased sleep onset latency. The review also highlights the role of timing and duration of device use, with late-night use particularly contributing to sleep disturbances. Biological, psychological, and social mechanisms are proposed as potential pathways underlying these effects. Despite moderate evidence supporting the negative impact of digital media on sleep, there is considerable heterogeneity across studies, and many relied on self-reported data, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research should aim to standardize exposure and outcome measures, incorporate objective data collection methods, and explore causal relationships through longitudinal studies. This umbrella review underscores the importance of developing targeted public health strategies, parental guidance, and clinical awareness to mitigate the potential adverse effects of digital device use on adolescent sleep and mental health. Full article

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and mobile phone addiction (MPA) in college students. Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were searched up to 20 January 2025. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to calculate combined Pearson correlation coefficients (r) with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 29 studies were included in the analysis. A significant negative correlation was found between PA and MPA (r = −0.349; p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed a larger effect size in alleviating MPA after the COVID-19 pandemic (r = −0.340; p = 0.008). Additionally, PA demonstrated a large effect size in improving sleep quality (r = −0.365; p < 0.001) and reducing depression and anxiety (r = −0.356; p = 0.024). The effect of PA on self-control was moderate (r = −0.267; p < 0.001), as was its effect on procrastination (r = −0.330; p = 0.016). In contrast, the effect of PA on academic burnout was small (r = −0.141; p < 0.001). In conclusion, increasing PA may reduce MPA by alleviating depression and anxiety and enhancing self-control. PA’s benefits for MPA extend to improving sleep quality and reducing academic burnout and procrastination. Full article

Academic stress arises from students facing academic demands and is linked to various academic and psychological factors. However, research has yet to explore its potential correlations with somatization, overall health issues, studying strategies, academic procrastination, academic performance, and intelligence scores. The objective of this study was to determine the potential correlations between such variables with academic stress in a sample of health sciences university students. University students of different bachelor’s programs were invited to participate; they fulfilled an electronic questionnaire with personal and psychological variables, including academic stress, and performed an intelligence test, which measures verbal and non-verbal intelligence. Finally, their academic achievement was measured with the grade point average (GPA). A total of 437 students were included, of which 296 (67.7%) were women, with a mean age of 20.36 ± 2.61 years old. Academic stress was higher in women than in men and showed moderate positive correlations with anxiety, depression, and somatization and a low positive correlation with the sum of diseases. It also showed a low negative correlation with sleep quality. In addition, academic stress correlated negatively with self-motivation, emotion perception, and emotion management as well as with active coping, positive relations with others, and the studying strategies (self-regulation, effort regulation, critical thinking, and time and study environment). We also observed a low positive correlation between academic stress and academic procrastination, which was higher in women than in men. No correlations were found with GPA or intelligence scores. In conclusion, academic stress was positively correlated with somatization, depression, anxiety, the sum of diseases, and academic procrastination; it was negatively correlated with emotional intelligence (mainly self-motivation), active coping, and specific studying strategies. Full article

Morningness-eveningness is usually assessed as either a trait or a state using either a morning–evening preference scale or sleep timing reported for free days, respectively. These assessments were implemented in numerous studies exploring the associations between morningness-eveningness and health, mood, and sleep problems. Evening types almost always had more problems than morning types. We examined these associations in university students with conflicting results of trait and state assessments of morningness-eveningness and tried to confirm their chronotype using a multidimensional chronotyping approach that recognizes four types other than morning and evening (lethargic, vigilant, napping, and afternoon). The conflicting trait and state assessments of morningness-eveningness were found in 141 of 1582 students. Multidimensional chronotyping supported morningness of morning types with late weekend sleep timing, and the associations with health, mood, and sleep problems resembled the associations of other morning types (i.e., these associations persisted despite late sleep timing). In contrast, evening types with early weekend sleep timing were more likely classified as lethargic or napping types rather than evening types. They did not resemble evening types in their associations with health, mood, and sleep problems (i.e., early sleep timing did not change these associations). Model-based simulations of the sleep–wake cycles of students with conflicting trait and state assessments suggested that their bedtimes cannot be solely determined by their biological clocks. On weekdays or weekends, mind-bedtime procrastination can lead to missing the bedtime signal from their biological clocks (i.e., self-deprivation of sleep or, in other words, voluntary prolongation of the wake phase of the sleep–wake cycle). Full article

While morningness (a preference for rising earlier in the day) is associated with positive affect and life satisfaction, eveningness is correlated with negative emotionality, poor sleep, less self-control, and more procrastination. The current study investigated inter-relationships between morningness–eveningness; bedtime, academic, and exercise procrastination; mind wandering; sleep quality; self-control; and depressive symptoms. An online survey including questionnaire measures of these variables was completed by 306 university students (aged 18–51 years; mean = 20.36, SD = 4.001; 34 male). Morningness correlated with more self-control and better sleep quality—eveningness correlated with more bedtime, academic, and exercise procrastination; depressive symptoms; and mind wandering. All forms of procrastination negatively correlated with self-control and sleep quality, and positively correlated with depressive symptoms and mind wandering, although more strongly with spontaneous than deliberate mind wandering. Mediation effects were found—bedtime procrastination (BP) between eveningness and spontaneous mind wandering (MW); spontaneous MW between BP and sleep quality; sleep quality between BP and depressive symptoms; self-control between depressive symptoms and academic procrastination. A path model of these inter-relationships was developed. This study adds to a growing body of research indicating that interventions to reduce bedtime procrastination may bring about improvements in wellbeing and academic achievement. Full article

Background/Objectives: To examine the relationships between state affect and sleep health at within- and between-person levels among health science students. Methods: A correlational design was used and 54 health science students were included. The participants completed baseline and 7-day ambulatory assessments in a free-living setting. Daily sleep and affect were measured using the Consensus Sleep Diary and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Mixed-effect models were used to examine the effects of affect on sleep health. Results: The participants were 19.8 (SD, 0.6) years and 92.6% were females. Approximately 40% had poor sleep quality. Controlling for the potential confounders (e.g., age, sex, and bedtime procrastination), higher within-person negative affect predicted shorter sleep duration, lower sleep efficiency, longer sleep onset latency, and less feeling rested. Higher between-person negative affect predicted shorter sleep duration. Higher within-person positive affect predicted longer sleep onset latency. Higher within- and between-person positive affect predicted more feeling rested. Conclusions: Negative affect was most consistently associated with sleep health at the individual level. Affect regulation should be considered when delivering personalized interventions targeting sleep health among health science students. Full article

This study explores the relationship between procrastination and declining healthy habits among adolescents, a topic lacking systematic reviews in the existing literature. The primary purpose is to lay the groundwork for promoting mental health and preventing procrastination as risky behavior. This systematic review examined five areas related to procrastination and its influence on healthy lifestyle habits in adolescents: technology and procrastination; sleep and procrastination; academic procrastination; and the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings highlight that technology misuse is linked with procrastination; adolescents tend to procrastinate when going to sleep; academic procrastination negatively impacts long-term educational achievements, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this phenomenon. Ultimately, it is concluded that procrastination is related to all these aspects and has detrimental effects on adolescents’ physical and psychological development. Full article

Despite exercise benefits for cancer survivor health, most breast cancer survivors do not meet exercise recommendations. Few studies have examined associations between psychosocial symptoms and exercise barriers in this population. To improve physician exercise counseling by identifying survivors with high barriers in a clinical setting, associations between breast cancer symptoms (fatigue, mood, sleep quality) and exercise barriers were investigated. Physically inactive survivors (N = 320; average age 55 ± 8 years, 81% White, 77% cancer stage I or II) completed a baseline survey for a randomized physical activity trial and secondary analyses were performed. Potential covariates, exercise barriers interference score, Fatigue Symptom Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were assessed. Based on multiple linear regression analyses, only HADS Global (B = 0.463, p < 0.001) and number of comorbidities (B = 0.992, p = 0.01) were independently associated with total exercise barriers interference score, explaining 8.8% of the variance (R² = 0.088, F(2,317) = 15.286, p < 0.001). The most frequent barriers to exercise for survivors above the HADS clinically important cut point included procrastination, routine, and self-discipline. These results indicate greater anxiety levels, depression levels, and comorbidities may be independently associated with specific exercise barriers. Health professionals should consider mood and comorbidities when evaluating survivors for exercise barriers, and tailoring exercise counseling. Full article

The purpose of this investigation was to study the relationship between sleep quality, problematic smartphone use (PSU) and bedtime procrastination, as well as to assess gender and age differences. A total of 313 participants, aged 18–60 (M = 30 ± 10.1; 53.2% males), completed an online survey between February and May 2023 in Spain. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version and Bedtime Procrastination Scale were used to measure sleep quality, PSU and bedtime procrastination, respectively. Additionally, smartphone use habits were evaluated through self-report questions. Pearson correlations, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Bonferroni’s post hoc tests and mediation analysis were conducted. Correlation analysis showed positive associations between the three main variables. Independent sample t-tests indicated females were more prone to PSU along with higher overall smartphone use. Post hoc analysis of one-way ANOVA exposed age differences between young adults (18–25 years old), adults (26–44 years old) and middle-aged adults (45–60 years old) in PSU and bedtime procrastination. Finally, mediation analysis revealed that PSU had indirect effects on sleep quality through bedtime procrastination, but no direct effects on sleep quality. Therefore, PSU, and especially bedtime procrastination, should be considered as targets in future campaigns or intervention programs to improve sleep quality among the young Spanish population. Full article

Chronotype and sleep quality have been shown to play significant roles in influencing people’s physical and mental health. The current study focuses on examining the relationship between chronotype and sleep quality among Chinese college students and exploring the mediating role of bedtime procrastination and the moderating role of sleep hygiene awareness. A sample of 2822 college students (female = 71.4%) aged between 17 and 29 years (M = 19.77, SD = 1.41) were included and completed the measures of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Bedtime Procrastination Scale (BPS) and Sleep Hygiene Awareness Scale (SHAS). The results showed that evening-type students reported the lowest sleep quality and highest levels of bedtime procrastination. In contrast, the highest sleep quality and lowest levels of bedtime procrastination were shown by morning-type, exhibiting the neither-type students’ intermediate chronotype. Bedtime procrastination partially mediated the relationship between chronotype and sleep quality. Furthermore, sleep hygiene awareness moderated the direct effect of chronotype on sleep quality and the effect of chronotype in the path from chronotype to bedtime procrastination. Specifically, higher levels of sleep hygiene awareness could buffer the adverse effect of chronotype on self-reported sleep quality but bolstered the negative effect of chronotype on bedtime procrastination. Our results suggest that individuals with an evening preference are inclined to postpone their bedtime and further experience poorer sleep quality at night. Sleep hygiene awareness may serve as a protective factor for poor nocturnal sleep. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of reducing bedtime procrastination and improving sleep hygiene awareness in the interventions designed to help college students to own a better sleep quality, especially for those with evening chronotypes. Full article