Abstract
Morningness-eveningness (M/E) is an individual trait related to a person’s sleep-wake cycle and preference for morning or evening hours. The “environment hypothesis” suggests that M/E is dependent on environmental factors, such as latitude, mean average temperature and photoperiod. We here analyzed a large number of datasets to assess this effect based on a systematic review. Data were from a total of 87 datasets and 35,589 individuals based on 28 countries. Partial correlations correcting for age revealed significant relationships between M/E and latitude, mean yearly temperature, photoperiod and sunset. Evening orientation was related to higher latitude, longer days and later sunset. Morning orientation was related to higher average temperatures. Percentage of females and sunrise time had no significant influence. These variables (sunset, temperature, photoperiod) were then input in a general linear model. The full model showed an influence of age and of sunset on CSM scores, but not of photoperiod and average temperature. Sunset, therefore, seems to be the most important statistical predictor for the observed latitudinal gradient.
Highlights
Morningness-eveningness (M/E) preference is an individual trait related to a person’s sleep-wake cycle and preference for morning or evening hours[1]
The environment hypothesis should be challenged in adults
A general latitudinal trend was proposed by some authors, e.g., within a country (Russia; Borisenkov et al.[8]; Brazil: Miguel et al.[9]; USA: White & Terman10) and between countries (Randler[7]; Sani et al.11)
Summary
Morningness-eveningness (M/E) preference is an individual trait related to a person’s sleep-wake cycle and preference for morning or evening hours[1]. For example, seems to have an influence on M/E with people in the eastern parts of a time zone being more morning oriented. This was found in Germany[12], Russia[8] and in Turkey[13]. Some authors further suggested that the differences between countries in M/E may be related to the climate[7,17,18], and people living in warmer climates should be more morning oriented This is backed up by a study on birds (Parus major) where the chronotype was slightly earlier under higher temperature[19]
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