0916 Differential Associations Between Chronotype, Anxiety, and Negative Affect: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach. (12th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cox, Rebecca C; Olatunji, Bunmi O
• Is Part Of: Sleep. Volume 42(2019)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A368
• Page End: A368
• Publication Date: 2019-04-12
• Subjects: Sleep -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sleep disorders -- Periodicals; Sommeil -- Aspect physiologique -- Périodiques; Sommeil, Troubles du -- Périodiques; Sleep disorders; Sleep -- Physiological aspects; Sleep -- physiological aspects; Sleep Wake Disorders; Psychophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.8498
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz067.914
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-8105

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Increasing evidence implicates circadian rhythms, including chronotype, in anxiety symptoms and disorders (Taylor & Hasler, 2018). However, it remains unclear whether the relationship between chronotype and anxiety pathology is explained by sleep disturbance. Likewise, given overlap between anxiety and mood symptoms, a unique link between chronotype and anxiety remains to be established. The present study addressed these questions using a multimethod approach to determine whether there is a unique relationship between chronotype and anxiety symptoms, controlling for sleep disturbance. Methods: Indicators of chronotype (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, average mid-sleep, and modal time of peak sleepiness), sleep disturbance (objective and subjective sleep onset latency, Insomnia Severity Index, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), anxiety (diagnostic status, Anxiety Sensitivity Index, average daily anxiety, and stressor-induced anxiety), and negative affect (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, Distress Tolerance Scale, and stressor-induced irritability) were collected in a sample of adults ( N =151) and modeled using structural equation modeling. Models 1 and 2 tested the association between chronotype and anxiety and negative affect, respectively, controlling for sleep disturbance. Results: Model 1 demonstrated good fit to the data (χ 2 (40) = 47.52, p = .19; CFI = .96; TLI = .95; RMSEA = .04) and indicated that eveningness significantly predicted increased anxiety, over and above the effect of sleep disturbance, γ = -.24, SE = .11, p < .05. Model 2 also demonstrated good fit to the data (χ 2 (31) = 38.98, p = .15; CFI = .95; TLI = .93; RMSEA = .04); however, eveningness was unrelated to negative affect, γ = -.10, SE = .09, p = .26. Conclusion: Eveningness is uniquely associated with anxiety, over and above the effect of sleep disturbance. Circadian rhythm disturbance may represent a biological underpinning of anxiety symptoms and disorders and an avenue for novel intervention targets. In contrast, the relationship between eveningness and mood pathology may be better explained by concurrent sleep disturbance. Future research is necessary to replicate these findings in a prospective design. Support (If Any): F31 MH113271