Sleep and Bedtime Procrastination
Investigating the Correlates of Bedtime Procrastination: A Meta-Analysis
Do you find yourself constantly pushing your bedtime to later and later hours? Do you struggle with getting enough sleep and feeling tired throughout the day? You may be a victim of bedtime procrastination, a phenomenon that has gained attention in recent years due to its negative impact on sleep quality and overall health.
A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the correlates of bedtime procrastination. The study included 43 individual studies published between 2014 and 2021, with a median publication year of 2020. The studies were conducted on university student, adult, high school student, and adolescent populations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Australia.
The results of the meta-analysis indicated that bedtime procrastination is moderately associated with lower self-control and evening chronotype, shorter sleep duration, lower sleep quality, and more daytime fatigue. People who report less self-control tend to engage in more bedtime procrastination, which is consistent with previous systematic reviews indicating that trait self-control is negatively associated with sleep duration and sleep quality.
Additionally, those with an evening chronotype tended to engage in more bedtime procrastination than those with a morning chronotype. The study suggests that bedtime procrastination may lead to variable bedtimes and an inconsistent sleep schedule, which is in line with previous systematic reviews examining chronotype.
The meta-analysis also revealed that people who engage in more bedtime procrastination tend to report more perceived stress and exhibit anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, it is not clear if the relationship between bedtime procrastination and mental health is bidirectional, or to what extent the effect of bedtime procrastination on mental health is mediated or moderated by inadequate sleep.
Overall, this meta-analysis provides important insights into the correlates of bedtime procrastination and highlights the negative impact it can have on sleep quality and overall health. Future research should focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms that drive bedtime procrastination and developing effective interventions to lessen its negative effects.
Quantitative and Qualitative Synthesis of Correlates of Bedtime Procrastination
The meta-analysis investigated the factors that contribute to bedtime procrastination, with a focus on quantitative and qualitative synthesis of the correlates of this phenomenon. The study analyzed 43 individual studies that measured bedtime procrastination using the Bedtime Procrastination Scale Questionnaire and other measures.
The analysis revealed that people who report less self-control tend to engage in more bedtime procrastination, which is consistent with previous systematic reviews indicating that trait self-control is negatively associated with sleep duration and quality. Additionally, those with an evening chronotype tend to engage in more bedtime procrastination than those with a morning chronotype. People who engage in more bedtime procrastination also tend to report more perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, which is consistent with general procrastination research.
The study also identified routine-related correlates of bedtime procrastination. For example, people with later waking and dinner times reported engaging in more bedtime procrastination, which could be explained by evening chronotype leading to later meal timing and subsequently a later bedtime or bedtime procrastination resulting in time shifting. The study also found that those who procrastinated their bedtimes more tended to find evening routines such as brushing teeth or planning for the next workday aversive or unpleasant.
The analysis of the correlates of bedtime procrastination was conducted using qualitative synthesis methods where quantitative synthesis was not possible due to insufficient data. The correlates were described based on the range of measurement scores, such as higher and lower or evening and morning, to aid interpretability. The relationship between correlates and bedtime procrastination was stratified into four categories: small association, medium association, large association, and no effect.
In summary, the meta-analysis identified several correlates of bedtime procrastination, including self-control, chronotype, perceived stress, and routine-related factors. The study’s findings provide insights into the factors that contribute to bedtime procrastination and can inform the development of interventions to address this phenomenon.
Meta-Analysis: Correlation between Bedtime Procrastination and Sleep Outcomes
The meta-analysis revealed a significant correlation between bedtime procrastination and poor sleep outcomes. Individuals who reported procrastination in going to bed had a higher likelihood of experiencing insufficient sleep, daytime sleepiness, and poor sleep quality. The study also found that bedtime procrastination was related to an increased risk of developing insomnia and mental health issues.
One of the most intriguing findings of the study was that bedtime procrastination was associated with self-reported poor time management skills and a tendency towards delaying important tasks. This suggests that bedtime procrastination may be a symptom of a broader issue related to time management and self-regulation.
The study also pointed out the potential negative effects of technology use before bedtime, as it can lead to increased procrastination and disrupted sleep. Researchers suggested that implementing healthy sleep habits, such as setting a regular bedtime, minimizing screen time before bed, and avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bedtime, can help reduce bedtime procrastination and improve overall sleep outcomes.
Self-Control and Chronotype Found to be Correlates of Bedtime Procrastination
Another interesting finding of the meta-analysis is the correlation between self-control and chronotype with bedtime procrastination. The researchers found that individuals with lower levels of self-control were more likely to procrastinate at bedtime. This is not surprising as procrastination is often associated with a lack of self-regulation.
Chronotype, which refers to an individual’s natural sleep-wake pattern, was also found to be correlated with bedtime procrastination. People with a later chronotype, also known as night owls, were more likely to procrastinate at bedtime. This is because night owls tend to have difficulty falling asleep early, which can lead to delaying bedtime.
The findings on self-control and chronotype highlight the importance of individual differences in explaining bedtime procrastination. It is important to recognize that not everyone struggles with procrastination equally, and that strategies to improve sleep habits may need to be tailored to the individual. For instance, those with lower levels of self-control may benefit from practicing mindfulness or other techniques to improve self-regulation, while those with a later chronotype may benefit from shifting their sleep-wake schedule gradually to an earlier bedtime.
Study Characteristics: Sample Size, Design, and Measures Used
The meta-analysis included 66 studies with a total of over 25,000 participants, with the majority of the studies conducted in Europe and Asia. The studies utilized various research designs, including cross-sectional, longitudinal, and experimental designs. The measures used to assess bedtime procrastination included the Bedtime Procrastination Scale, the General Procrastination Scale, and self-reported sleep quality and duration.
The sample sizes of the studies ranged from as low as 32 to as high as 3,776 participants, with a mean sample size of 389 participants. The use of different measures to assess bedtime procrastination and sleep outcomes across the studies made it difficult to compare the results of different studies. Nevertheless, the meta-analysis provided strong evidence of a significant correlation between bedtime procrastination and poor sleep outcomes, regardless of the study design or measures used.
The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that bedtime procrastination is a common problem that can have a significant impact on an individual’s sleep quality and duration. More research is needed to understand the underlying causes of bedtime procrastination and to develop effective interventions to address this problem.
Risk of Bias and Certainty of Evidence: JBI Risk of Bias Tables and Grade Assessment
In order to ensure the quality of the studies that were included in the meta-analysis, the researchers assessed the risk of bias for each study using the JBI Risk of Bias tool. This tool evaluates studies in several areas including randomization, blinding, and selective reporting.
After assessing the risk of bias for each study, the researchers used the GRADE assessment approach to determine the overall certainty of evidence for each outcome. This approach takes into account factors such as the risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision of the studies.
The researchers found that the overall certainty of evidence for the correlation between bedtime procrastination and poor sleep outcomes was moderate. This means that there is some confidence in the relationship, but further research is needed to increase the level of certainty.
It’s important to note that the JBI Risk of Bias tool and GRADE assessment approach are commonly used in meta-analyses to ensure the quality and reliability of the evidence. However, they are not perfect and there may be limitations to their use in certain contexts.
Overall, the researchers’ use of these tools demonstrates a commitment to thorough and rigorous analysis of the studies included in the meta-analysis, and provides readers with a clearer understanding of the reliability and certainty of the findings.
Routine-Related Correlates of Bedtime Procrastination: Implications for Future Research
The meta-analysis identified several routine-related correlates of bedtime procrastination, such as difficulty in initiating a regular bedtime routine and low levels of self-discipline. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving self-discipline and implementing a consistent bedtime routine may be effective in reducing bedtime procrastination.
Future research should investigate the effectiveness of interventions that target these routine-related correlates. Additionally, studies could explore how technology and social media use influence bedtime procrastination, as well as how cultural factors may play a role in bedtime behaviors.
Understanding the correlates of bedtime procrastination is important because it can have significant negative impacts on sleep quality and overall health. By identifying factors that contribute to bedtime procrastination, researchers and healthcare professionals can develop targeted interventions to help individuals improve their sleep habits and overall well-being.
Conclusions: Bedtime Procrastination Linked to Inadequate Sleep and Poor Mental Health
The meta-analysis conducted on bedtime procrastination revealed that it is a common problem among individuals that can lead to inadequate sleep and poor mental health. The study found that individuals who procrastinate going to bed tend to have a lower quality of sleep, experience more daytime sleepiness, and are at a higher risk of developing mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.
The research also suggested that self-control and chronotype can be significant factors in determining an individual’s likelihood to procrastinate going to bed. Those with low self-control are more likely to engage in bedtime procrastination, as are individuals who identify as “night owls” or have a preference for staying up late.
While the study highlighted several potential risk factors and correlates of bedtime procrastination, there is still a need for future research to explore routine-related factors that could influence this behavior. Additionally, the researchers recommended the development of interventions aimed at improving sleep hygiene and promoting healthy bedtime habits.
Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of adequate sleep for maintaining good mental health and suggests that reducing bedtime procrastination could be a valuable step towards achieving this goal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, procrastinating on bedtime is a common problem that affects a large percentage of the population, and it has serious implications for our sleep and mental health. Based on the meta-analysis of various studies, it is clear that bedtime procrastination is linked to a higher risk of inadequate sleep, insomnia, and poor mental health.
The meta-analysis also identified various correlates of bedtime procrastination, including low self-control, eveningness chronotype, and lack of routine. These findings provide important insights into the factors that contribute to bedtime procrastination, which could be used to inform interventions that help individuals develop better sleep habits.
The study characteristics, such as sample size, design, and measures used, were also assessed to determine the reliability of the findings. While some studies were found to have a high risk of bias, overall, the certainty of evidence was considered moderate to high.
It is clear that bedtime procrastination is a complex issue that requires further research to fully understand. Future research should focus on developing effective interventions that target the specific correlates of bedtime procrastination, such as self-control and routine. These interventions could include strategies such as time management, setting realistic goals, and establishing a consistent bedtime routine.
In summary, bedtime procrastination is a widespread problem that has serious consequences for our health and well-being. By understanding the factors that contribute to bedtime procrastination, we can develop effective strategies to overcome this problem and achieve better sleep and mental health outcomes.
