An Extended Assessment of Bedtime Procrastination in Chinese College Students: Prevalence, Influencing Factors, and Outcomes

OBJECTIVE: Research on the prevalence of bedtime procrastination (BtP) is currently focused on the breadth of BtP presentations, with limited insights into the severity of BtP in terms of its frequency, duration, and dysfunctional impacts. This study aimed to explore the BtP severity and its prevalence among Chinese college students. Moreover, correlates and outcomes of BtP were also examined. METHODS: A total of 20704 college students participated in a cross-sectional survey. BtP was measured by combining the bedtime procrastination scale with items related to BtP frequency, duration per episode, and dysfunctional impacts. Sociodemographics, lifestyles, trait- and state-like factors, and indicators of sleep and mental health were also evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of severe BtP was 10.5%. Poor family socioeconomic status, physical inactivity, alcohol use, pre-sleep media use, and perceived stress were identified as risk factors for severe BtP, while older age, self-control, and an earlier chronotype were protective factors. Moreover, severe BtP was associated with shorter sleep duration, greater social jetlag, and increased risks of daytime sleepiness and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provided valuable insights for BtP screening. The associations between BtP and adverse outcomes underscore the importance of screening for severe BtP and offering appropriate interventions.