Leiden University Student Repository

Concha Bobadilla, Andres (2025)

Chronotype and Poor Sleep Quality: A Mediation Analysis of Misalignment

Master thesis | Psychology (MSc)

In multiple studies, the evening chronotype have been associated with poor sleep quality and other negative health outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between chronotype, sleep quality, total sleep time, and misalignment through five hypotheses. We hypothesized that a later chronotype would predict poorer sleep quality (H1), shorter total sleep time (H2), and higher misalignment (H3). Additionally, we predicted that higher misalignment would be linked with poor sleep quality (H4) and mediate the relationship between later chronotypes and sleep quality (H5). The study utilized the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to measure sleep quality and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) for chronotype assessment. Misalignment was assessed using items from both the PSQI and MEQ. The findings supported all hypotheses except for the mediation role of misalignment. These results replicate previous findings on the impact of chronotype on sleep quality and contribute...Show moreIn multiple studies, the evening chronotype have been associated with poor sleep quality and other negative health outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between chronotype, sleep quality, total sleep time, and misalignment through five hypotheses. We hypothesized that a later chronotype would predict poorer sleep quality (H1), shorter total sleep time (H2), and higher misalignment (H3). Additionally, we predicted that higher misalignment would be linked with poor sleep quality (H4) and mediate the relationship between later chronotypes and sleep quality (H5). The study utilized the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to measure sleep quality and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) for chronotype assessment. Misalignment was assessed using items from both the PSQI and MEQ. The findings supported all hypotheses except for the mediation role of misalignment. These results replicate previous findings on the impact of chronotype on sleep quality and contribute to the literature by employing subjective measures of misalignment and testing its potential mediator role. Future research should focus on improving the measurement of misalignment and exploring other potential mediators.Show less

Chronotype, Misalignment, Sleep quality, Circadian rhythm, MEQ, PSQI

Author

Concha Bobadilla, Andres

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Clinical Psychology

Supervisors

Julia van den Berg

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en