A interação entre vespertinidade e o comportamento impulsivo/agressivo em adultos jovens

Abstract

Eveningness has been associated with personality traits including impulsivity and aggressiveness. The causes of this association are not yet known, but sleep dysfunctions and social jetlag (SJL) may be involved. In this study, we investigated the role of the sleep-wake patterns and SJL as possible mediators in the relationship between chronotype and impulsivity and aggressiveness in a non-clinical adult sample using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). A total of 924 university students (65.15% women), M=21.88±SD=3.22 years old, answered the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) to evaluate the sleep-wake patterns and SJL; Horne-Ostberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) to determine the circadian preference; Barrat Impulsiviness Scale (BIS - 11) and Short Form Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ-SF) to assess the impulsivity and aggressiveness dimensions. Women differed from men in sleep duration, impulsivity and aggressiveness scores. Eveningness was a predictor of impulsivity and aggressiveness according to SEM. Sleep duration on weekdays was associated with impulsivity in men. In women, sleep duration during the weekend was a predictor of aggressive behavior. No correlation was explained by the SJL in the explored models. These findings reinforce an association of evening chronotype with impulsive and aggressive behaviour, partially explained for the sleep duration and sex. However, although SJL has been suggested as one potential contributor, this could not be supported by our analysis.