GENDER DIFFERENCES IN MORNINGNESS–EVENINGNESS PREFERENCE
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 Ostberg 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.
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These sex differences in chronotype disappear after the age of 50 years, coinciding with menopause in women.
“these sex differences disappear after the age of 50 years, coinciding with menopause in women141,220,222”
From Rhythms of life: circadian disruption and brain disorders across the lifespan (2019) · cites this paper as [220]
Between 20 and 50 years of age, men continue to have greater evening preference on average than women.
“Between 20 and 50 years of age, men continue to have greater evening preference on average than women141,220,221”
From Rhythms of life: circadian disruption and brain disorders across the lifespan (2019) · cites this paper as [220]
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- Authors
- Adan, A., & Natale, V.
- Affiliations
- University of Bologna (IT)
- ORCID
- Natale, Vincenzo
- Venue
- Chronobiology International
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2002-01
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 709-720
- ISSN
- 0742-0528 (ISSN-L)
- 1525-6073
- OpenAlex
- W2166537470
- Cited by
- 522
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 26
- FWCI
- 1.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Chronobiology International (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Keywords
- morningness-eveningness preference, chronotype, gender differences, university students, sleep-wake cycle, circadian regulation, sleep inertia, sleep stages
- MeSH terms
- Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex Characteristics, Sleep, Photoperiod
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