Titre du document / Document title

Gender differences in morningness-eveningness preference

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

ADAN Ana ⁽¹⁾ ; NATALE Vincenzo ⁽²⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, ESPAGNE
⁽²⁾ Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, ITALIE

Résumé / Abstract

Morningness-eveningness preference (morning-, intermediate-, evening-type) or circadian typology is the individual difference that most clearly explains the variations in the rhythmic expression of biological or behavioral patterns. The aim of this study was to analyze gender difference in morningness-eveningness preference using the Horne and Östberg questionnaire in the largest university student population selected so far (N = 2135), with an age range 18-30 yr. Morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) score distribution closely correlated to the normal curve (range = 17-78, mean = 48.25; SD = 10.11), with 338 (15.84%) morning-types, 1273 (59.62%) intermediate-types, and 524 (24.54%) evening-types. The men and women differed significantly in their mean scores (p < 0.0001) and distribution per circadian typology (p < 0.00001), with the men presenting a more pronounced eveningness preference. Three factors were identified by factor analysis: time of greatest efficiency (I), sleep time/sleep phase (II), awakening time/sleep inertia (III). The MEQ items sensitive to gender differences were essentially those included in factor I and factor II. The results are discussed in relation to recent models of circadian regulation of the sleep-wake cycle.

Revue / Journal Title

Chronobiology international   ISSN 0742-0528   CODEN CHBIE4 

Source / Source

2002, vol. 19, n^o4, pp. 709-720 (36 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Dekker, Monticello, NY, ETATS-UNIS  (1984) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Biological rhythm ; Comparative study ; Sex ; Human ; Sleep wake cycle ; Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire Horne Oestberg ; Circadian rhythm ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Rythme biologique ; Etude comparative ; Sexe ; Homme ; Cycle veille sommeil ; Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire Horne Oestberg ; Rythme circadien ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Ritmo biológico ; Estudio comparativo ; Sexo ; Hombre ; Ciclo sueño vigilia ; Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire Horne Oestberg ; Ritmo circadiano ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 20671, 35400010215458.0050