Changes in delayed sleep patterns and related clinical factors in a social restriction environment

We aimed to investigate which factors, including socioenvironmental factors and emotional regulation, were associated with pronounced delayed sleep patterns during the COVID-19 social restriction. We evaluated 744 adults aged 20-65 y using a web-based survey with a self-reported questionnaire in May 2022. Based on the survey, we estimated the mid-sleep time on free days corrected for oversleeping on free days (MSFsc) and social jet lag (SJL). We determined delayed sleep patterns using ΔMSFsc, which was defined as the difference between MSFsc during the pre- and mid-pandemic. The high-risk group for delayed sleep patterns (H-DSP) group was younger with evening person and had more severe insomnia, depression with rumination, and smartphone addiction (p < 0.05). Logistic regression revealed that stronger tendencies to express emotions and rumination were independent risk factors associated with a pronounced pattern of delayed sleep during the pandemic. In the H-DPS group, SJL increased even more and average sleep duration was decreased during the pandemic. In socially restricted environments, emotion regulation significantly affects the severity of delayed sleep patterns, and people with H-DSP also had more disrupted circadian rhythms. Therefore, active education of sleep hygiene and emotional support with psychological interventions are needed in socially restricted environments.