Open Access

ARTICLE

The Impact of Sleep Determination on Procrastination before Bedtime: The Role of Anxiety

by Na Liu¹, Junxiu Wang^2,3, Wanli Zang^4,*

1 School of Sociology and Ethnology, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, 102488, China
2 School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
3 Institute of Psychosocial Services, Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
4 Postgraduate School, Harbin Sport University, Harbin, 150008, China

* Corresponding Author: Wanli Zang. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2024, 26(5), 377-387. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2024.047808

Received 18 November 2023; Accepted 20 March 2024; Issue published 30 May 2024

Abstract

Objective: The importance of good sleep for energy recovery and overall physical and mental health cannot be overstated. However, the increasing competitiveness of society, diversifying lifestyles, and the rapid spread of the internet and electronic devices have significantly impacted people’s sleep patterns, particularly through bedtime procrastination. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship and underlying mechanisms between sleep determination, anxiety, and bedtime procrastination among the Chinese population. Method: The study utilized data from a national survey—the China Residents’ Sleep Condition Survey (November 2021, with 6,037 participants). By constructing mediation and moderation models, it analyzed the relationship and mechanisms between sleep determination and bedtime procrastination, highlighting the dual role of anxiety: as a mediator between sleep determination and bedtime procrastination, and as a moderator of their relationship. Results: There was a negative correlation between sleep determination and bedtime procrastination; anxiety was related to an increase in bedtime procrastination behaviors; In the interplay between sleep determination and pre-bedtime procrastination, the regulatory effect of anxiety is found to be more pronounced than its intermediary role, with anxiety significantly diminishing the inverse relationship between sleep determination and procrastination before bedtime. Conclusion: Bedtime procrastination can lead to sleep issues, thus reducing sleep quality. Enhancing sleep determination or alleviating pre-sleep anxiety can help inhibit bedtime procrastination behaviors. Intervening and reducing bedtime procrastination is one of the effective measures to improve sleep quality.

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Keywords

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