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Vincenzo Natale

Bio: Vincenzo Natale is an academic researcher from University of Bologna. The author has contributed to research in topics: Actigraphy & Morning. The author has an hindex of 38, co-authored 150 publications receiving 5811 citations. Previous affiliations of Vincenzo Natale include Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli.
Topics: Actigraphy, Morning, Chronotype, Sleep onset, Evening


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review of the psychometric properties and validity of CT measures as well as individual, environmental and genetic factors that influence the circadian typology provides a state of the art discussion to allow professionals to integrate chronobiological aspects of human behavior into their daily practice.
Abstract: The interest in the systematic study of the circadian typology (CT) is relatively recent and has developed rapidly in the two last decades. All the existing data suggest that this individual difference affects our biological and psychological functioning, not only in health, but also in disease. In the present study, we review the current literature concerning the psychometric properties and validity of CT measures as well as individual, environmental and genetic factors that influence the CT. We present a brief overview of the biological markers that are used to define differences between CT groups (sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, cortisol and melatonin), and we assess the implications for CT and adjustment to shiftwork and jet lag. We also review the differences between CT in terms of cognitive abilities, personality traits and the incidence of psychiatric disorders. When necessary, we have emphasized the methodological limitations that exist today and suggested some future avenues of work in order to overcome these. This is a new field of interest to professionals in many different areas (research, labor, academic and clinical), and this review provides a state of the art discussion to allow professionals to integrate chronobiological aspects of human behavior into their daily practice.

936 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim of this study was to analyze gender difference in morningness–eveningness preference using the Horne and Östberg questionnaire in the largest university student population selected so far.
Abstract: Morningness - eveningness preference (morning-, intermediate-, evening- type) or circadian typology is the individual difference that most clearly explains the variations in the rhythmic expression of biological or behavioral patterns. The aim of this study was to analyze gender difference in morningness - eveningness preference using the Horne and Ostberg questionnaire in the largest university student population selected so far ðN ¼ 2135Þ; with an age range 18 -30 yr. Morningness -eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) score distribution closely correlated to the normal curve ðrange ¼ 17 - 78; mean ¼ 48:25; SD ¼ 10:11Þ; with 338 (15.84%) morning-types, 1273 (59.62%) intermediate-types, and 524 (24.54%) evening-types. The men and women differed significantly in their mean scores ðp , 0:0001Þ and distribution per circadian typology ðp , 0:00001Þ; with the men presenting a more pronounced eveningness preference. Three factors were identified by factor analysis: time of greatest efficiency (I), sleep time/sleep phase (II), awakening time/sleep inertia (III). The MEQ items sensitive to gender differences were essentially those included in factor I and factor II. The results are discussed in relation to recent models of circadian regulation of the sleep - wake cycle. (Chronobiology International, 19(4), 709-720, 2002)

459 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that sleep‐time preference started to shift toward eveningness from the age of 13 yrs, and females presented a more significant advanced sleep phase than males only during the years when sexual hormones are typically active.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine sex differences in sleep-time preference by age among Italian pre-adolescents, adolescents, and adults. The final sample consisted of 8,972 participants (5,367 females and 3,605 males) from 10 to 87 yrs of age. To assess preferred sleep habits, we considered the answers to the open-ended questions of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). In agreement with previous studies, we found that sleep-time preference started to shift toward eveningness from the age of 13 yrs. Females reached their peak in eveningness earlier (about 17 yrs of age) than males (about 21 yrs of age). Thereafter, the ideal sleep-time preference advanced in men and women with increasing age. Females presented a more significant advanced sleep phase than males only during the years when sexual hormones are typically active. Moreover, females reported a longer ideal sleep duration than males across all age groups examined, except in over 55 yrs one.

260 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a sample of 222 subjects was administered the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and six typologies were considered: definitely morning, moderately morning, intermediate-morning, intermediatemorning, moderate morning, moderate evening, and definitely evening.

235 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Good-quality subjective and objective data suggest adequate construct validity for each of the CT instruments, but a major limitation of this literature is studies that assess the predictive validity of these instruments.
Abstract: The accurate measurement of circadian typology (CT) is critical because the construct has implications for a number of health disorders. In this review, we focus on the evidence to support the reliability and validity of the more commonly used CT scales: the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM), and the Preferences Scale (PS). In addition, we also consider the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ). In terms of reliability, the MEQ, CSM, and PS consistently report high levels of reliability (>0.80), whereas the reliability of the rMEQ is satisfactory. The stability of these scales is sound at follow-up periods up to 13 mos. The MCTQ is not a scale; therefore, its reliability cannot be assessed. Although it is possible to determine the stability of the MCTQ, these data are yet to be reported. Validity must be given equal weight in assessing the measurement properties of CT instruments. Most commonly repor...

215 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore how sleep quality and psychological wellbeing are associated with individual chronotype and/or social jetlag and find that late chronotypes show the largest differences in sleep timing between work and free days leading to a considerable sleep debt on work days, for which they compensate on free days.
Abstract: Humans show large differences in the preferred timing of their sleep and activity. This so-called "chronotype" is largely regulated by the circadian clock. Both genetic variations in clock genes and environmental influences contribute to the distribution of chronotypes in a given population, ranging from extreme early types to extreme late types with the majority falling between these extremes. Social (e.g., school and work) schedules interfere considerably with individual sleep preferences in the majority of the population. Late chronotypes show the largest differences in sleep timing between work and free days leading to a considerable sleep debt on work days, for which they compensate on free days. The discrepancy between work and free days, between social and biological time, can be described as 'social jetlag.' Here, we explore how sleep quality and psychological wellbeing are associated with individual chronotype and/or social jetlag. A total of 501 volunteers filled out the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ) as well as additional questionnaires on: (i) sleep quality (SF-A), (ii) current psychological wellbeing (Basler Befindlichkeitsbogen), (iii) retrospective psychological wellbeing over the past week (POMS), and (iv) consumption of stimulants (e.g., caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol). Associations of chronotype, wellbeing, and stimulant consumption are strongest in teenagers and young adults up to age 25 yrs. The most striking correlation exists between chronotype and smoking, which is significantly higher in late chronotypes of all ages (except for those in retirement). We show these correlations are most probably a consequence of social jetlag, i.e., the discrepancies between social and biological timing rather than a simple association to different chronotypes. Our results strongly suggest that work (and school) schedules should be adapted to chronotype whenever possible.

1,794 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
28 Feb 2001-JAMA

1,258 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Investigating ‘chronotypes' observed an abrupt change in the timing of sleep at around the age of 20 and propose this change as the first biological marker of the end of adolescence.

1,218 citations