# Chronotype and Subjective Memory Complaints: The Sequential Mediating Roles of Sleep Quality and Psychological Distress

## TL;DR

This study explores how a person's circadian preference (chronotype) relates to memory complaints through sleep quality and emotional health in adults.

## Contribution

The study identifies a sequential mediating pathway linking chronotype, sleep quality, and psychological distress in relation to memory complaints.

## Key findings

- Greater morningness is associated with better sleep quality and lower psychological distress.
- The effect of chronotype on memory complaints is indirect, mediated through sleep and emotional factors.
- The observed associations are not causal but highlight the importance of sleep and emotional health in memory perception.

## Abstract

Individual differences in circadian preference have been shown to influence cognitive functioning, yet their relationship with subjective memory complaints remains unclear. The present study examined the association between chronotype and everyday memory complaints in a sample of Portuguese adults, exploring the sequential mediating roles of sleep quality and psychological distress. A total of 382 participants completed self-report measures of chronotype, sleep quality, psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and stress), and subjective memory complaints. In a cross-sectional self-report design, a path analysis approach was used to test a theoretically driven serial mediation model. Results indicated that greater morningness predicted better perceived sleep quality, which in turn was associated with lower levels of psychological distress. No significant direct effects of chronotype or sleep quality on subjective memory complaints were observed; however, a significant indirect effect was identified through the sequential pathway linking chronotype, sleep quality, and psychological distress. These findings suggest that circadian preferences are associated with self-perceived memory functioning primarily through sleep-related and emotional mechanisms; however, the sequential mediation identified reflects associational rather than causal relationships. The model highlights the central role of sleep quality and emotional state in shaping subjective memory complaints and supports integrative approaches that consider both circadian and emotional factors.