©The Author(s) 2026. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Psychiatry. Feb 19, 2026; 16(2): 113937
Published online Feb 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i2.113937
Published online Feb 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i2.113937
Domino effect of evening chronotype: How chronotype topples adolescent mental health through sleep and social functioning
Yun-Tian Xie, Yu-Xuan Liu, Department of Applied Psychology, Changsha Normal University, Changsha 410100, Hunan Province, China
Qi Liu, College of Economics and Management, Changsha Normal University, Changsha 410100, Hunan Province, China
Qi Liu, Economic College, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410028, Hunan Province, China
Author contributions: Xie YT developed the study protocol and wrote the original draft; Liu Q and Liu YX contributed to the manuscript development; and all authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by the Sunflower Student Mental Health Promotion Initiative, No. XS25B035.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Yun-Tian Xie, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Psychology, Changsha Normal University, No. 9 Wanhuayuan Road, Changsha 410100, Hunan Province, China. xieyuntian2008@163.com
Received: September 7, 2025
Revised: October 3, 2025
Accepted: December 4, 2025
Published online: February 19, 2026
Processing time: 145 Days and 5.5 Hours
Revised: October 3, 2025
Accepted: December 4, 2025
Published online: February 19, 2026
Processing time: 145 Days and 5.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Zhao et al identified a mediating mechanism through which an evening-type circadian preference affects mental health via a sequential pathway involving sleep quality and social functioning. Their findings indicate that intervention strategies should focus on modifiable factors such as sleep hygiene and social competence, rather than enforcing conformity to rigid sleep-wake schedules. Further longitudinal research is warranted to corroborate these causal pathways and to develop evidence-based interventions integrating sleep management with social skills training.