“Owls” are more likely to experience mental health problems

The study involved 2,266 working residents of Finland. The participants were divided into three groups based on their chronotype: morning (early birds), evening (night owls), and intermediate. The researchers assessed the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms, the extent to which work‑related tasks spilled over into personal time, and how well a person recovered after work.

The most pronounced mental health problems were observed in people with a clearly pronounced evening chronotype. The link between being a night owl and anxiety disorders turned out to be closely related to two factors:

Night owls find it more difficult to get proper rest and switch gears after a day’s work. They struggle with maintaining a balance between work and personal life. Work‑related matters often encroach on their free time, interfering with proper rest. Moreover, even when taking into account differences in lifestyle (for example, level of physical activity, eating habits, etc.), the link between evening chronotype and mental health problems remains. That is, it’s not just about habits, but also about the specific ways in which a person interacts with the work environment and their daily routine.

Mental health problems among the working‑age population are a growing challenge for society. Understanding which groups of people are more vulnerable to the negative effects of the work environment helps to design targeted support measures.

As Ilona Mericancto, head of the research group, notes, targeted measures to improve work–life balance, as well as to support recovery after work, can enhance well‑being in the workplace and reduce inequality. For example, flexible schedules, the ability to start the workday later, or additional tools for managing workload and the boundaries between work and leisure may be beneficial for night owls.