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Cited by 56Sleep and related disordersCircadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Diurnal preference and depressive symptomatology: a meta-analysis

Open access
Norbury, Ray·2021·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-021-91205-3PMC PMC8184740
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Abstract

Eveningness, a preference for later sleep and rise times, has been associated with a number of negative outcomes in terms of both physical and mental health. A large body of evidence links eveningness to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). However, to date, evidence quantifying this association is limited. The current meta-analysis included 43 effect sizes from a total 27,996 participants. Using a random-effects model it was demonstrated that eveningness is associated with a small effect size (Fisher's Z = - 2.4, 95% CI [- 0.27. - 0.21], p < 0.001). Substantial heterogeneity between studies was observed, with meta-regression analyses demonstrating a significant effect of mean age on the association between diurnal preference and depression. There was also evidence of potential publication bias as assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots and Egger's test. The association between diurnal preference and depression is small in magnitude and heterogenous. A better understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings linking diurnal preference to depression and suitably powered prospective studies that allow causal inference are required.

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  • Peripheral methylation may reflect not only illness severity but also chronicity and recurrence risk.

    “suggesting that peripheral methylation may reflect not only illness severity but also chronicity and recurrence risk (Sorlí et al., 2024; Norbury, 2021; Au and Reece, 2017)”

    From Histone modifications and depression: epigenetic mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and translational outlook (2026) · cites this paper as Norbury, 2021

    The Introduction and Results discuss the association between diurnal preference and depressive symptoms, not peripheral methylation. Searches for methylation, epigenetic biomarkers, chronicity, and recurrence found no passage addressing whether methylation reflects illness severity or recurrence risk. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Depressive symptoms-particularly in women-are associated with faster biological aging as indicated by measures such as the DunedinPACE clock.

    “measures such as the DunedinPACE clock indicate that depressive symptoms—particularly in women—are associated with faster biological aging”

    From Histone modifications and depression: epigenetic mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and translational outlook (2026) · cites this paper as Norbury, 2021

    The Results section examines diurnal preference and depressive symptoms, while the Discussion addresses chronological age as a moderator of that relationship. Searches for DunedinPACE and biological or epigenetic aging found no passage linking depressive symptoms—particularly in women—to faster biological aging. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.74)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [44]Law M Critical review form: Quantitative studies J. Psychiatr. Res. 1995 3 1 10

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Authors
Norbury, R.
Affiliations
Brunel University of London (GB)
Corresponding author
Norbury, Ray
ORCID
Norbury, Ray
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2021-06-07
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
12003-12003
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41598-021-91205-3
PMC
PMC8184740
OpenAlex
W3169225143
Cited by
56
References
116
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 4
FWCI
1.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Brunel University Research Archive (BURA) (Brunel University London) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
Keywords
diurnal preference, eveningness, depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder, chronotype, sleep timing, circadian rhythm, age effects, publication bias
MeSH terms
Circadian Rhythm, Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Regression Analysis, Sex Factors, Sleep, Photoperiod, Publication Bias

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