Temporal Network Analysis of Bedtime Procrastination and Depression Among Adolescents: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Research on bedtime procrastination and depression has primarily used traditional psychometric approaches, limiting the ability to capture symptom-level temporal dynamics. This study aimed to examine within- and between-person associations between symptoms of depression and bedtime procrastination, considering sex differences. Data from 3296 adolescents followed over 18 months were used to explore symptom associations and their centrality in cross-sectional networks, as well as cross-lagged effects to clarify temporal relationships. In the within-person temporal network, not going to bed on time and trouble concentrating were the most influential symptoms for males and females, respectively. In the contemporaneous network, feeling worried and not going to bed on time were most central for males, while feeling tired and feeling worried were central for females. No significant sex differences were found in overall network strength (S = 0.10, p = 0.75) or structure (M = 0.48, p = 0.09). Positive associations were consistent at the between-person level. Overall, this study characterizes the symptom-to-symptom associations between depression and bedtime procrastination at both the within- and between-person levels, with notable sex differences. For males, sleep difficulties and worries were key factors, while for females, concentration issues and fatigue played a more significant role.