Research Unveils Links Between Personality Traits and Bedtime Procrastination

A recent investigation presented at the SLEEP 2025 conference in Seattle has revealed a significant connection between personality characteristics and bedtime procrastination among young adults. The study highlights that individuals who frequently delay their bedtime tend to exhibit certain personality traits, such as higher levels of neuroticism and lower levels of conscientiousness and extraversion.

Lead researcher Steven Carlson, a doctoral candidate from the University of Utah, emphasized that the findings suggest bedtime procrastinators are less likely to engage in stimulating or enjoyable activities. Instead, these individuals often report emotional experiences that align with depressive symptoms, including a propensity for negative emotions and a lack of positive emotional experiences.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) underscores the importance of sufficient sleep for overall health, recommending that adults aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night. Procrastinating bedtime--the act of delaying sleep without external obligations--can significantly diminish the opportunity for adequate rest.

The study surveyed 390 young adults, with an average age of 24, who completed a chronotype questionnaire to determine their sleep preferences--whether they are "morning types" who tend to go to bed early or "evening types" who prefer to stay up late. Participants also filled out a personality assessment covering five traits: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, along with a sleep diary maintained over 14 days to track their bedtime habits.

Carlson noted that the research points to emotional well-being as a potential area for intervention to combat the widespread issue of bedtime procrastination. He explained, "Bedtime procrastination is associated not only with poor planning and low self-discipline but also with challenges in managing negative emotions and anxiety leading up to sleep." He expressed hope that future studies could explore whether alleviating negative emotions before bed could serve as an effective strategy for reducing bedtime procrastination.

The abstract of this research was recently published in an online supplement of the journal SLEEP and is set to be presented on June 10 during the SLEEP 2025 event in Seattle.