Circadian Typology and Self-esteem, Perceived Social Support and Life Satisfaction in a Spanish Population Sample.

INTRODUCTION

Circadian rhythms are biological rhythms that are repeated every 24 hours, and are reflected in circadian typology, a variable that has been related to different aspects of mental health, such as resilience, optimism, and emotional intelligence.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to analyze the relationships between circadian typology and perceived social support, self-esteem, and life satisfaction, considering the possible influence of sex.

METHOD: 345 participants (200 women), aged 16-76 years (31.77 ± 16.14 years), completed the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, the MOS Social Support Survey, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale.

RESULTS

Morning-type participants scored higher than evening-type participants on emotional support, instrumental support, global support, and life satisfaction. Also, morning-type participants scored higher on global self-esteem, and on positive and negative dimensions of self-esteem, which is consistent with the bifactorial model's view of these as related but independent dimensions of self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that morning typology could be considered as a protective factor for the development of psychological problems and mental disorders, as is associated with variables indicative of better mental health (greater self-esteem, life satisfaction and perceived social support), while evening typology is associated with factors considered to be risk factors for mental health.