Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
07:33
Noninvasive, High-throughput Determination of Sleep Duration in Rodents
Published on: April 18, 2018
Associations between diurnal preference, sleep quality and externalizing behaviours: a behavioural genetic analysis
N L Barclay1, T C Eley, B Maughan
1Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, Lewisham Way, New Cross, London, UK. ps701nh@gold.ac.uk
Psychological Medicine
|September 15, 2010
Summary
Eveningness preference and poor sleep quality are linked to increased externalizing behaviors in young adults. Shared genetic factors significantly contribute to these associations, highlighting a biological basis for the connection.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Sleep Science
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Externalizing behaviors in youth are linked to sleep issues, but adult associations are understudied.
- Understanding the interplay between sleep patterns and externalizing behaviors in adults is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine associations between diurnal preference, sleep quality, and externalizing behaviors in young adults.
- Investigate shared and unique genetic and environmental influences on these phenotypes.
- Determine the extent to which genetic and environmental factors explain the observed associations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized questionnaires to assess diurnal preference, sleep quality, and externalizing behaviors.
- Studied 1556 young adult twins and siblings to analyze genetic and environmental influences.
- Employed twin and sibling study designs to disentangle genetic and environmental contributions.
Main Results:
- Eveningness preference and poor sleep quality showed moderate positive correlations with externalizing symptoms (r=0.28 and r=0.34, respectively).
- Shared genetic influences accounted for 18% of externalizing behaviors with diurnal preference and sleep quality, and 14% with sleep quality alone.
- Genetic factors explained a substantial proportion of the association between diurnal preference and externalizing behaviors (80%) and between sleep quality and externalizing behaviors (81%).
Conclusions:
- Eveningness preference and poor sleep quality are moderately associated with externalizing behaviors in young adults.
- Shared genetic influences play a significant role in the co-occurrence of sleep phenotypes and externalizing behaviors.
- Future research should aim to identify specific genetic polymorphisms underlying both sleep and externalizing behaviors.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
01:28Human Genetics
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
02:19Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent years,...
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
01:20Gene-Environment Interactions
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...