Temporal associations between morningness/eveningness, problematic social media use, psychological distress and daytime sleepiness: Mediated roles of sleep quality and insomnia among young adults

Abstract

The extant literature has suggested relationships between an individual's chronotype (in relation to morningness/eveningness) and several outcomes, including addictive disorders, psychological distress and daytime sleepiness. Moreover, sleep quality has been proposed to be a mediator in the aforementioned relationships. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to investigate the complex relationship between morningness/eveningness, problematic social media use, psychological distress and daytime sleepiness, with the potential mediators of sleep quality and insomnia. All participants (N = 1,791 [30.1% males]; mean age = 27.2 years, SD = 10.1) completed a battery of psychometric scales, including a reduced version of the Morningness‐Eveningness Questionnaire (at baseline), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index (1 month after baseline assessment), the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (2 months after baseline assessment). The impacts of morningness‐eveningness on problematic social media use, anxiety, depression and daytime sleepiness were found in the mediation models. Furthermore, the mediated effects of insomnia and sleep quality were observed. The present study's results emphasize the importance of promoting healthy sleep habits and sleep hygiene behaviours, and that of early detection of sleep problems among individuals who have the eveningness chronotype, because this would significantly improve their health outcomes.

Social media use in patients with fibromyalgia and its effect on symptom severity and sleep quality

“…Furthermore, in the FMS patients with greater sleep disorders, the FMS disease severity and pain scores were determined to be higher. Interestingly, contrary to previous studies, this study did not find a significant relationship between sleep disorders and social media addiction [34][35][36]. This may be because previous studies included people who did not have FMS or any disease and found that excessive social media use causes sleep disturbance.…”

Problematic social media use and mental health (depression, anxiety, and insomnia) among Lebanese adults: Any mediating effect of stress?

“…90,91 In addition, smoking dependence causes physiological craving for nicotine, subsequently waking the individual, disturbing the sleeping pattern, and leading to insomnia. 92 95 Also, Internet addiction mediated the link between SM use and depression and anxiety. 96 Having said that, no past study has examined the possible mediation of stress between PSMU and depression, anxiety, and insomnia.…”

Mediated roles of generalized trust and perceived social support in the effects of problematic social media use on mental health: A cross‐sectional study

“…These very popular and attractive sites are designed to keep users engaged and for many individuals their use can be habitual and/or excessive taking time away from activities that may be more important such as educational and/or occupational duties. Consequently, excessive social media use, like other types of excessive use such as excessive internet or smartphone use, may cause a variety of health problems, including sleep problems, musculoskeletal discomfort, mood issues and impaired daily functions, as well as addiction‐like consequences in a small minority of individuals 27‐36 …”