An analysis of the "eveningness-morningness" dimension in "depressive" college students

Background: Circadian variability in depression has not been well character ized with respect to the "eveningness-morningness" dimension. Methods: The "eveningness-morningness" dimension, as measured by the Horne and Ostberg q uestionnaire, was examined among a student population (n = 1617) that was n amed as "depressive". Three depression scales (BDI, GDS-SF, and CESD) were used to determine "depressiveness". The Horne and Ostberg questionnaire was used to measure the degree of "eveningness-morningness". It was hypothesiz ed that there would be negative and significant correlations between the sc ores on the Horne and Ostberg questionnaire and the depression scales. Cons equently, it was expected that there would be a significantly higher number of evening types than the morning types among the participants identified as "depressives". Results: There were significant, negative correlations be tween the Horne and Ostberg questionnaire scores and the responses on the 3 depression scales (for BDI r = -.174, GDS-SF r = -.182, CESD r = -.176, al l p < .001). Also, a significantly higher incidence of evening types than o f the morning types among the "depressive" students was found (chi(2) = 11. 18, p < .01). Limitations: It is uncertain to what extent these data genera lize to clinical populations. Conclusions: "Depressive" college students ar e more likely to be evening types. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.