Circadian rhythm disruption is related to self-diagnosis of mental illness: Implications for shift work
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Ruth Propper
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 1:00 PM
Description
The association between circadian rhythm disruption and self-diagnosis of mental illness in a sample of undergraduate students was explored. A dysregulated circadian rhythm has been correlated with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Self-diagnosis of mental illness is an emerging phenomenon, likely influenced by social media, which has been linked to both mental health concerns as well as sleep irregularities. Here, we aimed to investigate whether circadian rhythm disruptions, as measured by bedtime/waketime variability and social jetlag, are related to self-diagnosis of mental illness. It was hypothesized that students with a greater disruption in their circadian rhythms will be more likely to self-diagnose mental health disorders. Using a publicly available data set, 907 undergraduate students (aged 18-28) completed several questionnaires, including both the Sleep Disorders Symptoms Check List-25 and the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire. Mental illnesses that were able to be self-reported on included depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, and PTSD. Results demonstrated a significant relationship between circadian rhythm disruption and self-diagnosis of mental illness, especially in women. Increased bedtime/waketime variability and greater social jetlag was also associated with an increase in reporting being unsure if one had a mental illness. No significant correlation was found for clinically diagnosed mental illness and any measure. Overall, this study suggests that circadian rhythm disruption may contribute to self-diagnosing behavior, with implications for future mental health education. Further research can be done to explore this relationship.
Circadian rhythm disruption is related to self-diagnosis of mental illness: Implications for shift work
The association between circadian rhythm disruption and self-diagnosis of mental illness in a sample of undergraduate students was explored. A dysregulated circadian rhythm has been correlated with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Self-diagnosis of mental illness is an emerging phenomenon, likely influenced by social media, which has been linked to both mental health concerns as well as sleep irregularities. Here, we aimed to investigate whether circadian rhythm disruptions, as measured by bedtime/waketime variability and social jetlag, are related to self-diagnosis of mental illness. It was hypothesized that students with a greater disruption in their circadian rhythms will be more likely to self-diagnose mental health disorders. Using a publicly available data set, 907 undergraduate students (aged 18-28) completed several questionnaires, including both the Sleep Disorders Symptoms Check List-25 and the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire. Mental illnesses that were able to be self-reported on included depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, and PTSD. Results demonstrated a significant relationship between circadian rhythm disruption and self-diagnosis of mental illness, especially in women. Increased bedtime/waketime variability and greater social jetlag was also associated with an increase in reporting being unsure if one had a mental illness. No significant correlation was found for clinically diagnosed mental illness and any measure. Overall, this study suggests that circadian rhythm disruption may contribute to self-diagnosing behavior, with implications for future mental health education. Further research can be done to explore this relationship.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.