Social jetlag is associated with an increased likelihood of having depressive symptoms among the Japanese working population: the Furukawa Nutrition and Health Study

Abstract

Study Objectives Social jetlag, a mismatch between biological and social timing, has been reported to be associated with depressive symptoms among general population. However, evidence on this association is lacking among non-shift workers, who are under pressure to adapt themselves to a work schedule. We investigated the cross-sectional association of social jetlag with depressive symptoms among Japanese non-shift workers. Methods This study included 1,404 employees, aged 18–78 years, who completed a study questionnaire at a periodic health checkup. Social jetlag was calculated as the absolute value of the difference in the midpoint of sleep times between weekdays and weekends. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with adjustments for potential confounders including diet and chronotype. Results Of the study participants, 63.5%, 28.4%, and 8.1% had less than 1 hour, 1 to less than 2 hours, and at least 2 hours of social jetlag, respectively. Greater social jetlag was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of having depressive symptoms. The multivariable-adjusted OR (95% confidence interval) were 1.30 (0.95 to 1.78) and 2.14 (1.26–3.62) for 1 to less than 2 hour and at least 2 hours compared to less than 1 hour of social jetlag. The association between social jetlag and depressive symptoms appeared to be linear, according to restricted cubic spline regression. Conclusion Results suggest that greater social jetlag is associated with an increased likelihood of having depressive symptoms among non-shift workers.

Biological Rhythm and Chronotype: New Perspectives in Health

“…In contrast, not all populations showed a great social jet lag manifestation; for example, the Chinese population reported the social jet lag less frequently than the European population, and it was not correlated with higher BMI as it typically is in western societies [ 193 ]. Social jet lag represents a possible risk factor or cause for several pathological conditions, such as tumors, type 2 diabetes, and depression [ 194 , 195 , 196 ].…”

COVID-19-related mobility reduction: heterogenous effects on sleep and physical activity rhythms

“…Apart from the increase in sleep duration, SJL measures are also reduced as individuals shift their daily schedules toward their biologically preferred sleep timings. As greater SJL/circadian misalignment has been associated with higher risk of depression [ 32 ], heart disease [ 33 , 34 ], and adverse metabolic changes (e.g. type 2 diabetes and obesity) [ 35–37 ], these changes could in fact reflect better sleep habits during the lockdown.…”

Diurnal preference and depressive symptomatology: a meta-analysis

“…Similarly, social jet-lag, the difference between internal rhythm and external demands (e.g. work or university), which may be more pronounced in evening-types and is associated with increased likelihood of reporting depressive symptoms 103 , 104 was not included in this meta-analysis. The current report, therefore, cannot directly assess the potential impact of social jetlag on the association between eveningness and depressive symptoms.…”