The Mismatch Between the Circadian Clock and Social Clock: Social Jetlag

Abstract

Social jetlag is a term that explains the mismatch in a person’s sleep pattern between the social clock and the circadian clock. Moreover, it is determined by subtracting the midpoint of sleep on leisure days from the midpoint of sleep on scheduled days. Factors influencing sleep patterns, such as shift work, adolescence, watching television while lying down, using a computer, spending time on the Internet, playing video games, using mobile phones and listening to music, may pose a risk to social jetlag. Social jetlag is a condition that causes many important physical, mental, behavioural and cognitive problems in an individual. In this regard, the purpose of this review was to explain the concept of social jetlag in light of the literature and to address the role of healthcare professionals in its management. Furthermore, the content of the study was presented under headings, such as definition, calculation, epidemiology, risk factors, consequences and management of social jetlag. In this study, we identified the need for initiatives, social awareness studies and scientific research to prevent, diagnose, monitor and control social jetlag in order to improve the public health.

Keywords

• circadian clock
• social clock
• social jetlag
• sleep