rMEQ Scores Research Articles

The Japanese version of the reduced morningness-eveningness questionnaire

ABSTRACT Circadian typology, or “morningness” and “eveningness,” is generally assessed using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), a 19-item scale that could be burdensome in large-scale surveys. To overcome this, a 5-item version known as the reduced morningness-eveningness questionnaire (rMEQ), which is sensitive to the assessment of circadian typology, was developed; however, a validated Japanese version of the rMEQ is yet to be established. This study aimed to develop and validate the Japanese version of the rMEQ. Five essential items for the rMEQ were selected from existing Japanese MEQ data (N = 2,213), and the rMEQ was compiled. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis for the psychometric properties of the rMEQ and confirmed its robust one-factor structure for evaluating morningness-eveningness (GFI = 0.984, AGFI = 0.951, CFI = 0.935, and RMSEA = 0.091). Reliability was evaluated via internal consistency of rMEQ items using Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω, and the values were 0.618 and 0.654, respectively. The rMEQ scores strongly correlated with MEQ (ρ = 0.883, p < 0.001), and classification agreement (Morning, Neither, and Evening types) between rMEQ and MEQ was 77.6% (Cramer’s V = 0.643, Weighted Cohen’s κ = 0.72), confirming the validity. The Japanese rMEQ may be a valuable tool for the efficient assessment of circadian typologies.

Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of Reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire: Results From a General Population-Based Sample.

Chronotype refers to individual variations in diurnal preferences that manifest as everyday behaviors, including sleep patterns. Traditionally, the Horne &amp; Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), which comprises of 19 items, has been the standard for determining chronotype. However, its length makes it cumbersome for widespread application. To address this issue, the reduced MEQ (rMEQ), a concise version containing only five items from the MEQ, was developed for a more practical approach to chronotype assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of Korean version of rMEQ in a sample from the general Korean population. The Korean version of the rMEQ comprises of items 1, 7, 10, 18, and 19 of the original MEQ. The validity of the rMEQ was assessed by correlating its scores with those of the MEQ and Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). Its reliability was determined by calculating internal consistency. A total of 3,030 individuals participated in the study, yielding an average rMEQ score of 14.0 ± 3.4. There was a substantial positive correlation between the rMEQ and MEQ scores (r = 0.859, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the rMEQ scores were significantly negatively correlated with the midpoint of sleep on free days corrected for sleep debt as measured by the MCTQ (r = -0.388, P < 0.001), indicating a robust association with chronotype. The internal consistency of rMEQ, measured using Cronbach's alpha, was 0.609. This study finds the Korean version of the rMEQ to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing chronotype in the general population.

Functional Connectivity Between Default Mode and Ventral Attention Networks Mediates the Effects of Chronotype on Daily Physical Activity

Daily physical activity (dPA) is closely related to circadian rhythm and chronotype. The functional connectivity (FC) within or between the default mode (DMN) and ventral attention network (vAN) were associated with dPA and chronotype. DMN-vAN FC was investigated for its role in chronotype and dPA. 153 participants completed the reduced version of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), dPA was measured via actigraphy (5-day), and then resting-state fMRI scans were performed. rMEQ scores and steps recorded by the actigraphic devices (with each hour as the time window to calculate steps for five consecutive days per hour, subsequently yielding the maximum number of steps and its corresponding time, ie, SM and SMT) represent chronotype and dPA respectively. The results found that the rMEQ scores were significantly negatively correlated with SMT. The positive correlation between the rMEQ scores and the DMN-vAN FC was significant. There were also significant positive correlations between SMT and DMN-vAN FC. Further analysis revealed that DMN-vAN mediates the relationship between chronotype and SMT. The FC of DMN-vAN may be the underlying neural mechanism through which chronotype influences dPA. These findings could support the development of reasonable activity schedules or specific intervention programs to improve physical health.

Validation of the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) in Chinese college freshmen based on questionnaires and actigraphy

ABSTRACT The Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) was developed to determine an individual’s chronotype, and it provides information about sleep and wake times separately for work and free days. However, the MCTQ has not been effectively verified using a large sample based on multiple questionnaires and actigraphy measures. Three sequential studies were conducted. Study 1 used a large sample (n = 1066) to investigate the chronotype of Chinese college freshmen and assess the validity of the MCTQ compared with the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), actigraphy, and other related questionnaires. Study 2 verified the MCTQ compared with a sleep diary. Study 3 examined the test-retest reliability of the MCTQ at the 2-year follow-up. The results showed that MCTQ parameters were significantly associated with rMEQ scores, the actigraphy-based mid-point of sleep, sleep quality, depression, and trait anxiety. In addition, all MCTQ variables were significantly related to the diary-based sleep mid-point. The test-retest reliability of the mid-point of sleep adjusted for sleep debt (MSFsc) and mid-point of sleep on free days (MSF) was acceptable. These results indicate that the MCTQ is a practical and efficient tool with good reliability. Its further development is important for the accurate assessment of chronotypes and clinical diagnoses of sleep.

Pre-Race Sleep Management Strategy and Chronotype of Offshore Solo Sailors.

PurposeTo evaluate chronotype and the sleep management strategy adopted by sailors before the offshore solo sailing race “Mini Transat La Boulangère”. As secondary aim, we assessed whether adopting pre-race sleep management strategy influences performance at race.Materials and MethodsForty-two solo sailors completed questionnaires on sleep quality, sleepiness, chronotype and an ad hoc questionnaire on the pre-race sleep management strategy adopted. Arrival times, separately for each race’s leg, were provided by the race organization team.ResultsSolo sailors present mainly with a morning-type (40%) and intermediate-type (60%) chronotype, while none have an evening-type chronotype. Fifty-five percent of sailors adopted pre-race sleep management strategy. Sailors that adopted strategy have travelled more miles in offshore compared to sailors that did not adopt strategy (p<0.05). Significant differences emerged in rMEQ scores, with sailors that adopted strategy presenting lower score compared to sailors that did not adopt sleep strategy (p<0.05), as well as in chronotype distribution with morning-type sailors that are less likely to adopt pre-race sleep management strategy compared to intermediate type sailors (p<0.05). No differences emerged in final arrival times and in arrival time at leg1 and leg2. The most commonly adopted strategy (52% of sailors) consists of sleep extension, followed by the polyphasic sleep (26%), and sleep deprivation (22%) strategy. Sailors trained in polyphasic sleep have higher ESS than sailors trained in sleep deprivation (p<0.05).ConclusionMorning-type chronotype is overrepresented in this large cohort of solo sailors compared to the general population; moreover, chronotype seems to influence the adoption of sleep management strategy. A little over half of solo sailors participating in the Mini Transat trained in sleep management strategy before the race; however, neither the general adoption of pre-race sleep management strategy nor the adoption of a specific sleep strategy seems to significantly influence final arrival times.

Chronotype assessment of the Bengalese adolescents: an observational study using a Bengali version of the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ)

ABSTRACT Chronotype or morningness orientation is an interpersonal characteristic that influence human physiology and psychology and less is known about the chronotype of the Bengalese adolescents in India. We aimed to study the chronotype of this population by using a translated version of a previously established questionnaire. 471 Bengali-speaking adolescents (13–14 years) (boys = 268, girls = 203) of West Bengal, India were included in this study and their chronotype was assessed using an interviewer-administered Bengali version of the reduced Morningness–eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ). The reliability of the translated instrument was assessed using Cronbach’s α. Chi-squared test was used to observe the chronotype distribution between the boys and girls. rMEQ scores of all the participants ranged between 5 and 25 with a median value of 17 (25–75th percentile: 15–20). Cronbach’s α was 0.751. Using cut off scores, we found 47% of our study participants were of morning chronotype, whereas the intermediate and evening types were of 50% and 3%, respectively. Chi-squared test demonstrated a significantly higher morningness among boys than the girls. The study describes the morningness orientation pattern of the Bengalese adolescents that may have some defined influence on their physiological and psychological characteristics including health and disease.

Altered resting-state connectivity within default mode network associated with late chronotype

Current evidence suggests late chronotype individuals have an increased risk of developing depression. However, the underlying neural mechanisms of this association are not fully understood. Forty-six healthy, right-handed individuals free of current or previous diagnosis of depression, family history of depression or sleep disorder underwent resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rsFMRI). Using an Independent Component Analysis (ICA) approach, the Default Mode Network (DMN) was identified based on a well validated template. Linear effects of chronotype on DMN connectivity were tested for significance using non-parametric permutation tests (applying 5000 permutations). Sleep quality, age, gender, measures of mood and anxiety, time of scan and cortical grey matter volume were included as covariates in the regression model. A significant positive correlation between chronotype and functional connectivity within nodes of the DMN was observed, including; bilateral PCC and precuneus, such that later chronotype (participants with lower rMEQ scores) was associated with decreased connectivity within these regions. The current results appear consistent with altered DMN connectivity in depressed patients and weighted evidence towards reduced DMN connectivity in other at-risk populations which may, in part, explain the increased vulnerability for depression in late chronotype individuals. The effect may be driven by self-critical thoughts associated with late chronotype although future studies are needed to directly investigate this.

1109 DO SLEEP PARAMETERS MEDIATE THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHRONOTYPE AND MENTAL HEALTH?

Chronotype, specifically a preference for eveningness, is a well-established predictor of mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety. However, research is lacking on whether specific sleep parameters may act as mediators of the correlation between chronotype and depression & anxiety. An understanding of how sleep parameters - including efficiency, sleep onset latency (SOL), total sleep time (TST), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and number of awakenings (NA) - may act as mediators of the correlation between chronotype and depression & anxiety would offer a basis for future longitudinal research on how chronotype specifically affects mental health outcomes. Fifty-four participants (age: M=19.58, SD=1.49; 82.7% female) used actigraph watches (Actigraph Corp.) for an average of 7 days to assess their sleep. Actigraphy data were informed by daily sleep diaries, and sleep parameters (including efficiency, SOL, TST, WASO, and NA) were calculated using ActiLife software. Self-report measures were used to assess chronotype (reduced Morningness-Eveningess Questionnaire; rMEQ) and depression & anxiety symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ). Two participants were excluded from analyses due to missing data. rMEQ scores (range: 7–21) were significantly negatively correlated with depression symptoms (r = -.282, p = .042), such that greater preference for eveningness was associated with increased depressive symptoms. However, rMEQ scores were not significantly correlated with anxiety symptoms (r = -.160, ns). None of the 10 (one sleep index per model times two [depression and anxiety]) correlational mediation models predicting depression and anxiety from rMEQ scores were statistically significant. The effect sizes (Preacher & Kelley’s kappa-squared) of the overall mediation models that included efficiency and TST predicting depression (0.02 and 0.05, respectively) and anxiety (0.02 and 0.04, respectively) are in the small-to-medium range. rMEQ scores correlated with mental health outcomes as expected. None of the correlational indirect effects models were significant, suggesting that the association between chronotype and mental health symptoms might not be mediated by sleep parameters. However, effect sizes of the mediation models of sleep efficiency and TST on depression and anxiety, respectively, point to effects that may bear further investigation with longitudinal designs with more statistical power.

Circadian preference and decision-making styles

The present study aimed to explore for the first time the relationship between circadian preference and different decision-making styles. In total, 501 young adults (330 females), with a mean age of 21.07 ± 1.99 years, took part in the study. The participants completed the reduced version of the morningness–eveningness questionnaire (rMEQ) and the general decision-making style inventory (GDMS). The rMEQ enabled to assess the circadian preference, with lower rMEQ scores pointing toward eveningness preference. The GDMS measured five decision-making styles: rational, intuitive, dependent, avoidant and spontaneous. Higher scores on each GDMS decision-making style reflect a higher prevalence of the corresponding style. A set of multiple regression analyses was performed with rMEQ score, gender and age as predictors together with each GDMS decision-making style as dependent variable. rMEQ score proved to be the only significant (negative) predictor of avoidant and spontaneous decision-making styles, i.e. lower rMEQ score (tendency toward eveningness) significantly predicted higher score at these decision-making styles. The present results suggest that eveningness preference is significantly related to avoidant and spontaneous decision-making styles in young adults. Such results will be discussed with reference to the effects of decision-making styles on decision-making in different types of workers and mental health.

Sociosexuality, Morningness–Eveningness, and Sleep Duration

Morningness–eveningness is the preference for different times of day for activity and sleep. Here, we addressed the effects of sleep behavior and morningness–eveningness on sociosexuality. Three hundred students ( M age = 22.75 years, with 95% between 18 and 28) participated online, answering questions about morningness–eveningness (rMEQ [Reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire]), midpoint of sleep on free days (MSF), sleep duration, and the Sociosexuality Orientation Inventory–Revised (SOI-R). The SOI-R contains three subscales, Behavior, Attitude, and Desire. Evening orientation and short sleep duration were related to a higher total SOI-R and to the three subscales. Based on the linear models, the strongest effect on sociosexuality was produced by gender (27% explained variance) while age accounted for 6% of variance. Nonadditive variance explained by sleep–wake behavior was 7% (MSF), 4% (sleep duration), and 4% (rMEQ scores; 3% rMEQ-based typology). Older age was related to less-restricted sociosexuality, and men were less restricted than women in Attitude and Desire. Sleep duration and rMEQ scores were associated with Attitude and Desire; but only MSF was significantly related to Behavior. The data show that sleep–wake variables are associated with sociosexuality, with evening orientation and shorter sleep duration being related to a less-restricted sociosexuality.

Morningness–eveningness and personality characteristics of young healthy adults

We aim to explore for the first time the relationships between circadian typology, the personality dimensions of Cloninger’s biological model and Zuckerman’s sensation seeking model in healthy adults. A sample of 700 young healthy adults (324 men) aged between 18 and 32yrs completed the reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), the short version of the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Sensation Seeking Scale-Form V. Morning-type subjects showed higher scores than the evening- and neither-type in persistence, while evening-type scored higher than morning-type in novelty seeking. A significant interaction in harm avoidance showed that evening- and neither-type men scored lower than women. Evening-type scored higher than morning-type in experience seeking, disinhibition, and Sensation Seeking Total Score (SSS-V), and higher than neither-type in disinhibition and SSS-V. A significant interaction in SSS-V showed that only evening-type men scored higher than women. Regression analyses revealed that rMEQ scores are significantly related to the temperament dimensions novelty seeking and persistence, and to the SSS-V and the disinhibition dimension. Our results, together with the known associations between Cloninger’s model and Zuckerman’s sensation seeking with diverse health problems, emphasize an evening-type personality profile more vulnerable to the development of symptomatology and mental disorders (especially in men).

German version of the reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ)

The Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) is the most widely known questionnaire to assess circadian preference. In the present study, the reduced MEQ (rMEQ), a short five-item version of the MEQ, is adapted to German language. A total of 594 participants filled in the German rMEQ and the Composite Scale of Morningness to measure convergent validity. Mean rMEQ scores were 13.97 ± 3.44 and ranged from 5 to 24. Cronbach's α was 0.723 for the total sample and 0.722 in men and 0.701 in women. Cutoff scores showed 126 (21.2%) morning types, 385 (64.8%) neither types, and 83 (14.0%) morning types. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation revealed a single-factor solution. The correlation between the Composite Scale of Morningness and the rMEQ was 0.885. Based on the type classification, there was a good agreement (Cramer coefficient = 0.622). The data presented here show that the rMEQ is also a reliable tool in its German adaptation, but the cutoff scores should be refined and discussed in further work.