Chronotype and bedtime procrastination: The role of problematic generative artificial intelligence use and gender

Individual differences in circadian preference have been increasingly linked to maladaptive technology-related behaviors; however, their role in problematic generative artificial intelligence use (PGAIU) remains underexplored. Moreover, while the negative outcomes of PGAIU have received growing attention, its potential adverse effects on sleep-related variables remain insufficiently understood. The present study examined the associations among morningness-eveningness, PGAIU, and bedtime procrastination, as well as potential gender differences in these relationships. Data were collected from 410 adult generative artificial intelligence (GAI) users via an online survey (51.5% women; M_age = 41.27). Structural equation modeling indicated that higher morningness was consistently associated with lower levels of bedtime procrastination in the total sample as well as among both men and women. Morningness was positively and significantly related to PGAIU only among men, suggesting a gender-specific pattern in the chronotype-GAI use relationship. Furthermore, PGAIU was positively associated with bedtime procrastination in the total sample and among women, whereas this association was not significant among men. Although morningness and PGAIU were associated with bedtime procrastination, PGAIU did not emerge as a significant mediator between morningness and bedtime procrastination. Overall, the present study represents one of the first empirical investigations examining the associations between PGAIU and sleep-related variables, particularly bedtime procrastination, within a circadian framework.