The Mediator Role of Routines on the Relationship between General Procrastination, Academic Procrastination and Perceived Importance of Sleep and Bedtime Procrastination

Prolonged Sleep Deprivation Induces a Reprogramming of Circadian Rhythmicity with the Hepatic Metabolic Transcriptomic Profile

Sleep disturbances can disrupt the overall circadian rhythm. However, the impact of sleep deprivation on the circadian rhythm of the liver and its underlying mechanisms still requires further exploration. In this study, we subjected male mice to 5 days of sleep deprivation and performed liver transcriptome sequencing analysis at various time points within a 24-h period. Subsequently, we monitored the autonomic activity and food intake in these male mice for six days post-sleep deprivation. We observed alterations in sleep-wake and feeding rhythms in the first two days following sleep deprivation. Additionally, we also observed a decrease in 24-h serum-glucose levels. Liver transcriptome sequencing has shown that sleep deprivation induces the rhythmic transcription of a large number of genes, or alters the rhythmic properties of genes, which were then significantly enriched in the carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism pathways. Our findings suggest that under conditions of prolonged sleep deprivation, the expression of metabolic-related genes in the liver was reset, leading to changes in the organism's metabolic state to ensure energy supply to sustain prolonged wakefulness.

Adverse childhood experiences among doctor of pharmacy students

OBJECTIVE

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have demonstrated negative impact on physical, emotional, and cognitive health outcomes. This study aimed to assess prevalence of ACEs among Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students, and their associations with mental health, substance use, academic performance, and sleep patterns.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on PharmD students at a private University. ACE scores, mental health history, substance use, academic performance, and sleep habits were self-reported. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for analysis.

RESULTS

From 54 participants across all cohorts of students in the curriculum (response rate: 19%), 48% reported ≥4 ACEs. A majority of students reported having been diagnosed with or sought treatment for depression (56%) or anxiety (67%), while 42.9% reported a history of contemplating suicide. Participants with ACE scores of ≥4 were more likely to have sought treatment for depression, any mental health condition, contemplated suicide, or used alcohol for mental health purposes. No differences in academic performance based on ACE scores were found.

CONCLUSION

High numbers of ACEs were common and linked to mental illness, suicidality, and use of alcohol for mental health purposes. While no direct academic impact was found in this small sample size, adopting a trauma-informed approach is crucial to supporting student well-being. Further research in this area is needed to optimize interventions to support academic and professional success among students with ≥4 ACEs.

Examining the relationship between bedtime procrastination and personality traits in Chinese college students: the mediating role of self-regulation skills

Objective: Personality traits are commonly used to explain individual differences in procrastinatory behavior. This study aims to examine the relationship between bedtime procrastination (BP) and personality traits, and to understand the role of self-regulation skills in this relationship. Participants: We recruited 294 college students. Methods: Data were collected through standardized questionnaires to evaluate BP, personality traits, and self-control (a main indicator of self-regulation skills). Results: Correlation analysis showed that BP was positively correlated with the psychoticism and neuroticism dimensions of Eysenck's personality. Hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling analyses further revealed that psychoticism and neuroticism predicted BP directly and indirectly via self-control. Conclusions: BP has a significant relationship with Eysenck's personality traits, particularly, with some dimensions that directly and indirectly predict BP through self-regulation skills. Therefore, individualized intervention strategies based on personality traits and self-regulation skills should be integrated in measures used to reduce BP behaviors among college students.

Association between impulsivity and cognitive capacity decrease is mediated by smartphone addiction, academic procrastination, bedtime procrastination, sleep insufficiency and daytime fatigue among medical students: a path analysis

BACKGROUND

Medical students are at high risk for sleep disturbance. One possible cause of their sleeping problem is impulsivity. We aim to investigate the possible mediators between medical students' impulsivity and sleep outcomes. Thus, we developed and investigated a model where the predictors were attentional, non-planning, and motor impulsivity subtraits. In the final model, subjective cognitive capacity decrease was the outcome variable. In light of previous findings, academic procrastination, smartphone addiction, and bedtime procrastination were considered important mediators as well as two variables of poor sleep, sleeping insufficiency, and daytime fatigue.

METHODS

Medical students (N = 211; age_M = 22.15 years; age_SD = 3.47 years; 71.6% women) were recruited to complete an online survey comprised of demographics (age, gender), self-administered scales (Abbreviated Impulsiveness Scale, Bedtime Procrastination Scale, Abbreviated Impulsiveness Scale, Academic Procrastination Scale-Short Form) and questions on tiredness, daily fatigue and subjective cognitive capacity decrease. Correlation and path analyses were implemented to examine hypothesized relationships between the variables.

RESULTS

Both attentional impulsivity (β = 0.33, p < .001) and non-planning impulsivity (β = -0.19, p < .01) had a direct relationship with cognitive capacity decrease. Attentional impulsivity was also associated with decreased cognitive capacity with a serial mediation effect via smartphone addiction, academic procrastination, bedtime procrastination, sleep insufficiency and fatigue (estimate = 0.017, p < .01). The indirect link between non-planning impulsivity and cognitive capacity decrease was mediated by academic procrastination, bedtime procrastination, sleep insufficiency and fatigue (estimate = 0.011, p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Inability to stay focused and plan tasks effectively (directly and indirectly) predicts poor sleep outcomes. This relationship is mediated by excessive smartphone use, academic procrastination, and bedtime procrastination. Our findings are relevant in light of self-regulatory learning, which is crucial in medical education. This is a recursive cycle of planning, emotion regulation, proper strategy selection and self-monitoring. Future interventions addressing attentional and non-planning impulsivity, problematic smartphone use, academic procrastination, and in turn, bedtime procrastination might make this routine more effective. In the conclusion section, practical implications of the results are discussed.

Cluster analysis for the overall health status of elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes

Purpose

To evaluate the overall health status and health-related abilities and problems of elderly patients with diabetes and multimorbidity compared with those with diabetes only. Additionally, we aimed to identify different subgroups of elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 538 elderly patients with diabetes. The participants completed a series of questionnaires on self-rated health (SRH), diabetes self-management, self-efficacy, health literacy, depression, and diabetes distress. Differences in health-related abilities and problems were compared between elderly patients with diabetes and multimorbidity and those with diabetes only, with adjustments for covariates using propensity score matching. A cluster analysis was also performed to identify the overall health status subgroups of elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes. Additionally, we conducted a multinomial logistic regression analysis to examine the predictors of health-related abilities and problem-cluster group membership.

Results

Elderly patients with diabetes and multimorbidity experienced more health-related abilities and problems than those with diabetes only, particularly within the domains of depression (p &lt; 0.001), and diabetes distress. The level of health literacy (p &lt; 0.001) and self-management (p = 0.013) in elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes was also significantly higher than that in elderly patients with diabetes only. Cluster analysis of elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes revealed three distinct overall health status clusters. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that age (OR = 1.090, p = 0.043), sex (OR = 0.503, p = 0.024), living situation (OR = 2.769, p = 0.011), BMI (OR = 0.838, p = 0.034), regular exercise (OR = 2.912, p = 0.041 in poor vs. good; OR = 3.510, p &lt; 0.001 in intermediate vs. good), and cerebral infarction (OR = 26.280, p &lt; 0.001) independently and significantly predicted cluster membership.

Conclusion

Compared with elderly patients with diabetes only, those with diabetes and multimorbidity experienced more health-related abilities and problems within the domains of depression, and diabetes distress. Additionally, the level of health literacy and self-management in elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes was significantly higher than that in those with diabetes only. Among the multimorbid diabetes group, old age, male sex, living without a partner, slightly lower BMIs, not exercising regularly, and experiencing cerebral infarctions were all positively correlated with worse overall health status.

Sleep Patterns during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Spain

BACKGROUND

To mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, governments around the world adopted exceptional lockdown measures. This led to the disruption of normal life routines, including sleep. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in sleep patterns and subjective variables of sleep quality before and during lockdown.

METHODS

A sample of 1673 Spanish adults (30% men; 82% of the total were between 21 and 50 years of age) was evaluated. The following sleep variables were evaluated: Sleep latency, sleep time, number and duration of awakenings, sleep satisfaction, daytime sleepiness, and the manifestation of symptoms related to sleep problems.

RESULTS

Although 45% of people changed their sleep schedules (resulting in 42% sleeping longer during lockdown), sleep quality (37.6% worse), daytime sleepiness (28% worse), number of awakenings (36.9% more), and duration of awakenings (45% longer) were markedly worse. Statistical analyses indicated significant differences in all the evaluated sleep variables before and during lockdown in both men and women. Women reported less sleep satisfaction, and more symptoms related to sleep problems than men.

CONCLUSIONS

A deterioration in the sleep patterns of the Spanish population, especially women, because of the lockdown declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go to bed! A systematic review and meta-analysis of bedtime procrastination correlates and sleep outcomes

Bedtime procrastination is defined as the volitional delay of going to bed, without any external circumstances causing the delay, and is associated with inadequate sleep. Alleviating bedtime procrastination is an important target for interventions promoting adequate sleep, yet the correlates of bedtime procrastination are poorly understood. This study examined (1) correlates of bedtime procrastination, and (2) strength and direction of the association between bedtime procrastination and sleep outcomes. Six databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched from inception to September 2021 against pre-determined eligibility criteria. Forty-three studies were included (GRADE = low). Meta-analysis revealed that bedtime procrastination had a moderate negative association with self-control (z = -0.39; CI: -0.45, -0.29) and a moderate positive association with evening chronotype (z = 0.43; CI: 0.32, 0.48). Furthermore, bedtime procrastination was moderately negatively associated with sleep duration (z = -0.31; CI: -0.37, -0.24), sleep quality (z = -0.35; CI: -0.42, -0.27) and moderately positively associated with daytime fatigue (z = 0.32; CI: 0.25, 0.38). Further high-quality studies are needed to identify causal relationships between bedtime procrastination and correlates, as well as bedtime procrastination and sleep. Future work will guide the development of interventions targeting bedtime procrastination for improved sleep outcomes. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42021248891.

The Relationship between Physical Activity and Academic Procrastination in Chinese College Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

Background: Academic procrastination (AP) has been a common problematic behavior in college students. While physical activity (PA) has been reported to increase self-efficacy and reduce AP, less is known about the potential relationships among them. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between PA and AP. Methods: 687 Chinese college students (51% males, 49% females) aged 17–23 years (M = 19.59, SD = 0.89) participated in the study. PA, self-efficacy, and AP were assessed using the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3), the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Procrastination Assessment Scale-Students (PASS), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis, linear regression analysis, and mediation analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: (1) PA has a significant and negative impact on college students’ AP, (2) PA has a significant and positive impact on college students’ self-efficacy; (3) self-efficacy has a significant and negative impact on AP in college students; and (4) self-efficacy significantly mediates the relationship between PA and AP. Conclusions: PA is an effective intervention for directly and indirectly decreasing college students’ AP. Therefore, more intervention efforts should focus on the promotion of PA in higher education to improve students’ self-efficacy and thus, to reduce AP among college students.