Staying up late linked to higher depression risk, study finds

A new study suggests that staying up late may increase the risk of depression, with poor sleep, alcohol use, and lack of mindfulness playing a key role.

Previous research has indicated that individuals with an “evening chronotype”—commonly known as night owls—are more likely to experience symptoms of depression compared to early risers. To explore this further, researchers surveyed 546 university students through an online questionnaire, gathering data on their sleep patterns, mindfulness, alcohol consumption, and mental health.

The findings confirmed that those who stayed up late had a significantly higher risk of depression. The study also highlighted that night owls reported poorer sleep quality, higher alcohol intake, and lower mindfulness compared to morning chronotypes.

However, the study had some limitations. Since it was based on a cross-sectional design, which captures data at a single point in time, it could not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Additionally, the results may not be applicable to individuals outside the university student population.

Despite these limitations, the study suggests that interventions focusing on mindfulness, improving sleep quality, and reducing alcohol use could help lower depression risk, particularly among young adults.