Age and natural sleep patterns influenced changes in sleep timing during the first COVID-19 wave

Participants reported significant sleep phase delays during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic.

• Sleep phase delays, reduced social jetlag, and reduced social sleep restriction were observed during the first wave of the pandemic.
• Changes in social jetlag and social sleep restriction were associated with participants' age and chronotype.
• Young adults experienced the greatest reductions in social jetlag.
• Individuals with evening chronotypes and young adults reported the largest reductions in social sleep restriction.
• These findings suggest that young adults and those with evening chronotypes may be particularly affected by shifts in sleep timing due to social restrictions.

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