Supplements

Higher sleep-corrected social jetlag and evening chronotype are associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and stress in university students

In a cross-sectional study of 734 university students, each 1-hour increase in sleep-corrected social jetlag (SJLsc) was significantly associated with higher odds of depression (OR=1.527), anxiety (OR=1.324), and stress (OR=1.524). Evening chronotype was also linked to increased risks of depression (OR=1.856), anxiety (OR=1.598), and stress (OR=1.945) compared to non-evening types.

Last updated: Aug 28, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. The Relationship Between Indicators of Behavior Rhythmicity With Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Youths.

observational

Xia S, Gong Y, Zhang M, Fan Z, Zhang J, Zhang J, Li S, Dong X, Liu LJ, Li Y, Hong XQ, Yang YD · Depression and anxiety (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Cross-sectional (no duration)
Intervention: Observational assessment of behavior rhythmicity indicators (SJLsc, chronotype, eating jet lag, eating windows, breakfast skipping)
Outcome: Depression, anxiety, and stress measured by DASS-21
Effect Size: ORs as reported: SJLsc per 1-h increase: depression OR=1.527, anxiety OR=1.324, stress OR=1.524; Evening chronotype: depression OR=1.856, anxiety OR=1.598, stress OR=1.945
Population: University students (n=734) from a cross-sectional study

Result:

PubMed: 42643655DOI: 10.1155/da/5861864

Mechanism Graph

Disrupted circadian rhythms due to social jetlag and evening chronotype
↓
Misalignment between internal biological clock and external social schedules
↓
Potential effects on mood regulation and stress response systems
↓
Increased risk of depression, anxiety, and stress

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
  • ⚠Self-reported measures may introduce recall bias
  • ⚠Sample limited to university students, limiting generalizability
  • ⚠Residual confounding from unmeasured variables possible

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sleep-corrected social jetlag (SJLsc)?▼

SJLsc is the difference in sleep timing between workdays and free days, corrected for sleep debt, indicating circadian misalignment.

How does evening chronotype affect mental health?▼

Evening chronotype was associated with higher risks of depression, anxiety, and stress, possibly due to misalignment with societal schedules.

Are the associations between social jetlag and mental health the same for males and females?▼

No, the study found sex-specific associations: SJLsc was associated with depression only in males, while evening chronotype was linked to depression and stress only in females.

What are the implications for university students?▼

Students with irregular sleep patterns or evening preference may be at higher risk for mental health issues, suggesting the need for interventions to align schedules with biological rhythms.

Products

Affiliate links coming soon. We only recommend products that match the doses and forms used in the cited research.

References

  1. 1.Xia S, Gong Y, Zhang M, Fan Z, Zhang J, Zhang J, Li S, Dong X, Liu LJ, Li Y, Hong XQ, Yang YD. "The Relationship Between Indicators of Behavior Rhythmicity With Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Youths.." Depression and anxiety, 2026. PMID: 42643655 DOI: 10.1155/da/5861864
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.