RESUMO
Women are disproportionally affected by psychological distress and lack of social support and are more vulnerable to the negative impact of chronotype on mental health. This study evaluates cross-sectional associations between chronotype and mental health, while assessing the mediating role of social support among women from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. Women from the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Research Network were included (N = 506, mean age = 37 ± 15.7, 61% racial/ethnic minority). Chronotype, depression, perceived stress, health-related quality of life, and social support were assessed at baseline using validated self-reported questionnaires. Linear regression and causal mediation analyses were performed. Depression and negative emotionality were higher among women with evening vs. morning/intermediate chronotypes (all p < 0.05). Multivariable analyses adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical confounders showed associations between evening chronotype and higher depression (p = 0.004) and negative emotionality (p = 0.010). However, these associations were no longer significant after adjusting for social support (depression: p = 0.12; negative emotionality: p = 0.18). Social support significantly mediated 44.6% and 45.8% of the total effect of chronotype on depression and negative emotionality, respectively. Social support represents a potential mechanism underlying the associations between eveningness and poor mental health. Chronotype and social support should be considered in interventions for the promotion of mental health in women.
