Sleep and Psychosocial Risk Factors Associated with Social Jet Lag and Sleep Duration Among Colombian University Students

Abstract

Undergraduate students and healthcare professionals often experience irregular sleep patterns, social jet lag (SJL), and rotating shifts that affect their performance. This study examined the association between SJL, sleep duration, and psychosocial factors among 1409 Colombian undergraduate students (mean age 24.4 ± 6.7 years) using data from the Ultra-Short Version of the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire collected between June and September 2023. Multivariable linear regression analysis identified factors associated with SJL. The prevalence of SJL exceeding two hours was high (84.6%), with an average magnitude of 4.4 h. Chronotype (MSFsc) was negatively correlated with SJL, indicating that students with later chronotypes tended to experience greater misalignment between biological and social time. Younger age and a higher number of working days were significantly associated with increased SJL, whereas substance use and mental health history showed no significant effects. These findings highlight that work-related demands, particularly frequent working days, play a key role in exacerbating social jet lag. The results underscore the need for institutional strategies to promote sleep health among Colombian university students and health professionals.