The influence of chronotype, socioeconomic status, latitude, longitude, and seasonality on cognitive performance and academic outcomes in adolescents

Abstract

Background

Adolescents' cognitive development and academic performance are influenced by sleep patterns, socioeconomic status (SES), and geographic factors. This study investigated how chronotype, social jetlag, weekday sleep duration, longitude, latitude, and SES impact cognitive outcomes and academic performance in a diverse adolescent sample.

Methods

Data from 3741 adolescents in a longitudinal study were analyzed. Cognitive outcomes were assessed using NIH Toolbox measures (vocabulary, attention, working memory, pattern recognition, and reading). Self-reported academic grades were included as an additional outcome. Sleep variables were derived from the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire. Linear mixed-effects models examined the relationships between predictors and outcomes, controlling for age, sex, SES, latitude, longitude, seasonality, and time of testing.

Results

Later chronotype and greater social jetlag were associated with poorer cognitive performance in vocabulary (β=−0.08, −0.18), working memory (β=−0.01, −0.09), and reading (β=−0.01, −0.17). Latitude showed small positive associations with vocabulary (β=0.09), attention (β=0.07), and working memory (β=0.07). In contrast, longitude showed negligible associations with cognitive and academic outcomes (∣β∣<0.05), suggesting limited geographic variability along this axis. Higher household income was associated with better performance in vocabulary (β=0.07) and reading (β=0.06), and better grades (β=−0.04). Males demonstrated better attention scores (β=0.11) but poorer pattern recognition (β=−0.20), along with lower academic performance compared to females (β=0.19). Academic grades were positively associated with chronotype (β=0.14) and social jetlag (β=0.07) but negatively with weekday sleep duration (β=−0.06). Seasonality showed no significant effects.

Conclusions

Chronotype, social jetlag, latitude, and SES are significant predictors of cognitive and academic outcomes in adolescents, while longitude showed minimal effects. These findings underscore the importance of circadian alignment and socioeconomic and geographic contexts in shaping adolescent development.