O085 “It's Satisfying but Destructive”: A Mixed Methods approach to understanding the Impact of Bedtime Procrastination and Pre-sleep Screen time on Sleep in in new Career Starters.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Bedtime procrastination, the volitional delay of going to bed, is linked to multiple indicators of inadequate sleep. Intervening to reduce bedtime procrastination may be an avenue to improve sleep outcomes, yet the phenomenon remains poorly understood in populations at-risk for bedtime procrastination. New career starters, those who are transitioning from tertiary education to full-time employment, may be susceptible to problematic bedtime procrastination and are at an opportune time for a ‘fresh start’ to change behaviour. Methods and results Two studies were conducted: (1) a qualitative approach to understand how bedtime procrastination is experienced by new career starters, identify barriers to behaviour change and explore themes for future interventions; and (2) a 7-day repeated-measures design to test generalisability of findings. In Study 1, data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 28). Inductive thematic analyses were used to find seven themes: negative feelings before and during bedtime procrastination; wanting to vs. knowing I shouldn’t; difficulty falling asleep; influence of automatic processes; consequences of bedtime procrastination; lack of self-control and technology captures late-night attention. Participants emphasised the need for me-time, self-negotiation to continue procrastinating and knowledge of the value of sleep. Study 2 aimed to quantify the relationship amongst bedtime procrastination, habit and motivation on daily pre-sleep screen use and sleep outcomes. Data collection and analyses are ongoing, preliminary findings suggest that bedtime procrastination involves both reflective and automatic cognitive processes. Conclusion Future interventions would benefit from a dual-process approach, using cognitive and behavioural techniques to reduce bedtime procrastination.