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Bedtime procrastination during the second COVID-19 lockdown in Portugal
André Oliveira1, Beatriz Pereira1, Pedro Rosário1
1Psychology Research Center, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
Sleep Science (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
|June 6, 2022
Summary
Bedtime procrastination, delaying sleep without external reasons, was common during Portugal's COVID-19 lockdown. Lack of routines, particularly nighttime work or study, was linked to increased tiredness and sleep delay.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sleep Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Bedtime procrastination, the intentional delay of sleep, may be exacerbated by pandemic-related lifestyle changes.
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated new routines and responsibilities, potentially impacting work-life balance and sleep behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bedtime procrastination during the second COVID-19 lockdown in Portugal.
- To examine the relationship between bedtime procrastination and sociodemographic factors, sleep routines, daily fatigue, mealtimes, and pre-sleep activities.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 560 adults in Portugal.
- Data collected included information on bedtime procrastination, sleep duration, daily fatigue, dinnertime, and evening activities.
Main Results:
- Over 79% of participants reported bedtime procrastination during lockdown.
- Bedtime procrastination was associated with increased perceived daily fatigue (rpb=.33, p<.01).
- Delaying bedtime correlated with later mealtimes (rpb=.19, p<.01) and engaging in evening study/work (rpb=.39, p<.01).
Conclusions:
- Lack of structured routines, particularly scheduled nighttime study or work, appears to contribute to bedtime procrastination.
- Findings highlight the impact of pandemic-induced lifestyle shifts on sleep behaviors and well-being.
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