Cited by 377Sleep and related disordersCircadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Work-Related Fatigue

The epidemiology of morningness/eveningness: influence of age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors in adults (30-49 years)

Paine, Sarah-Jane, Gander, Philippa H., Travier, Noemie·2006·Journal of Biological Rhythms

Abstract

The Horne and Ostberg Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) is widely used to differentiate between morning and evening types, but there is very little epidemiological evidence about the distribution of MEQ chronotypes in the general population. The purpose of the present study was to simultaneously investigate the influence of demographic, socioeconomic, and work factors on the distribution of morningness/eveningness. A New Zealand version of the MEQ was mailed to 5000 New Zealand adults, ages 30 to 49 years, who were randomly selected from the electoral rolls (55.7% response rate). A total of 2526 questionnaires were included in the analyses. According to the Horne and Ostberg classification, 49.8% of the total population was classified as morning type compared to 5.6% having an evening-type preference. However, using new cutoffs for middle-aged working adults described by Taillard et al. (2004), 24.7% of the population was morning type and 26.4% was evening type. After controlling for ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic deprivation, participants ages 30 to 34 years were more likely to be definitely evening type (odds ratio [OR] = 1.59, p < 0.05) and less likely to be morning type (moderately morning type, OR = 0.59, p < 0.01, or definitely morning type, OR = 0.59, p < 0.05) compared to those ages 45 to 49 years. Work schedules were also important predictors of chronotype, with night workers more likely to be definitely evening type (OR = 1.49, p = 0.05) and the unemployed less likely to be moderately morning type (OR = 0.64, p < 0.05) compared to other workers. Evening types were 2.5 times more likely to report that their general health was only poor or fair compared to morning types (p < 0.01). This study confirms that the original criteria of Horne and Ostberg (1976) are not useful for classifying chronotypes in a middle-aged population. The authors conclude that morningness/eveningness preference is largely independent of ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic position, indicating that it is a stable characteristic that may be better explained by endogenous factors.

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Crossref · 10.1177/0748730405283154

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  • In a study of 5000 adults aged 30-49 years from New Zealand, after controlling for ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status, work schedules predicted chronotype, with night workers being more likely to be definitely evening-type and the unemployed less likely to be moderately morning-type compared with other workers.

    “After controlling for ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status, work schedules were found to predict chronotype, with night workers being more likely to be “definitely evening-type” and the unemployed less likely to be “moderately morning-type” compared with other workers (71).”
  • Measures of chronotype are affected by social and work schedules, and some individuals may never shift back to a morning preference after adolescence.

    “these measures of chronotype are also affected by social and work schedules, and some individuals may never shift back to a morning preference after adolescence223”
  • Sleep has been implicated in the etiology of cardiovascular risk behaviors and diseases.

    “As a common physiologic function that has been implicated in the etiology of cardiovascular risk behaviors [7–11], and diseases [12], sleep may be such a target.”

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Authors
Paine, S.-J., Gander, P. H., & Travier, N.
Affiliations
  • Massey University (NZ)
  • Sleep/Wake Research Centre, Centre for Public Health Research, Research School of Public Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
Venue
Journal of Biological Rhythms
Published
2006-02
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
68-76
ISSN
  • 0748-7304 (ISSN-L)
  • 1552-4531
OpenAlex
W2157608582
Cited by
377
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 61 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 19
FWCI
18.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Biological Rhythms (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • European Commission
  • Massey University
  • Health Research Council of New Zealand
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
chronotype, middle-aged adults, age differences, gender differences, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, socioeconomic deprivation, night work, employment status, health status, New Zealand adults, endogenous circadian rhythm, work schedules
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Biological Clocks, Chronobiology Phenomena, Circadian Rhythm, Ethnicity, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, New Zealand, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex Factors, Sleep, Socioeconomic Factors, Wakefulness

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