Association of mid sleep time and social jetlag with psychosocial behaviour of Indian population during COVID-19 lockdown

Background: India, being the third worst affected country from COVID-19 pandemic at the time of study, faced complete lockdown to minimize community transmission that confined people to social isolation for extended durations. Design and Methods: Therefore, we conducted an online questionnaire-based survey for the Indian population after 37 days of complete lockdown to assess the integrative effects of such home restriction and social isolation on mid-sleep time, social jetlag, and their associated psychosocial behavior. From the reports of sleep onset and waking-up times before and during lockdown as obtained from a total of 1511 respondents of ≥18 years, midsleep time (MST) and social jetlag (SJL) were calculated. Participants also rated their psychosocial behavior related variables on a Likert scale. Results: Significantly delayed MST was noted during the lockdown. The majority showed reduced social jetlag; however, younger people and female subjects exhibited more SJL with delay in MST. Also, delayed MST and elevated SJL problems were more clearly demonstrated in people exhibiting more disturbances in sleep quality and daily routine, lower general mood status, irregular feeding habits (snacking frequency), worsened personal relationship, quality of life, and increased daydreaming events. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining a regular daily routine with respect to sleep-wake patterns and eating habits to minimize the impact of such a crisis situation on sleep behavior, social jetlag, and associated psychosocial wellbeing. Significance for public health The study has both immediate and far-reaching significance. On the background of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the study highlights the effect of the prolonged lockdown of a sizeable Indian population on the interaction of mid-sleep time and its associated social jetlag on some of their basic indicators of psychosocial behaviour. The finding reflects a significant influence of lockdown on sleep behaviour and its related effect which is suggestive of susceptibility to extreme psychological consequences in such conditions. Besides, the counsellors also need to take adequate steps keeping in view the heterogeneity in response across gender. Over the long term, this study provides a rare window of opportunity to obtain a scientific view of the effect of physical isolation which can be extrapolated to patients in the hospital, prisoners, sailors, or any other personnel mimicking prolonged lockdown conditions. The work schedules and mental states can thus be tailored to these effects which could increase productivity with reduction in altered psychological states.