Associations between neuroticism, subjective sleep quality, and depressive symptoms across the first year of college
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Examine neuroticism's impact on the relationship between depressive symptoms and sleep quality during the college transition. PARTICIPANTS: First-year students (N = 302) from a southeastern university in the USA. METHODS: A longitudinal cross-lagged panel model assessed direct and indirect effects between self-reported sleep and depressed mood. RESULTS: Higher neuroticism was directly associated with both greater depressed mood and sleep quality. Poorer sleep quality was associated with depressive symptoms at baseline (β = 0.250, [95% CI = 0.123,0.362]) and during spring semester (β = 0.261, [95% CI = 0.126,0.383]). Baseline depressive symptoms predicted sleep quality during fall semester (β = 0.140, [95% CI = 0.031, 0.247]), and fall semester sleep quality predicted spring semester depression symptoms (β = 0.106, [95% CI = 0.007,0.201]). DISCUSSION: Neuroticism is an indicator of emotional distress and disrupted sleep upon college entry. Furthermore, there was evidence for both within time-point and prospective associations between sleep quality and depression symptoms albeit at different times throughout the first year of college.
Authors: Caroline Catherman, Samantha Cassidy, Chelsie E. Benca-Bachman, Jessica M. Barber, Rohan H. C. Palmer
Institution: Emory University
Language: English
Topic: Sleep and related disorders
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse
OpenAlex ID: W3135699968