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

Background: Circadian variability in depression has not been well characterized with respect to the "eveningness-morningness" dimension. Methods: The "eveningness-morningness" dimension, as measured by the Horne and Ostberg questionnaire, was examined among a student population (n = 1617) that was named 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 hypothesized that there would be negative and significant correlations between the scores on the Horne and Ostberg questionnaire and the depression scales. Consequently, 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 between 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, all p < .001). Also, a significantly higher incidence of evening types than of the morning types among the "depressive" students was found (chi(2) = 11.18, p < .01). Limitations: It is uncertain to what extent these data generalize to clinical populations. Conclusions: "Depressive" college students are more likely to be evening types. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.