AUTHOR=Li Liqing , Zhang Qi , Zhu Liyong , Zeng Guohua , Huang Hongwei , Zhuge Jian , Kuang Xiaorui , Yang Sule , Yang Di , Chen Zhensheng , Gan Yong , Lu Zuxun , Wu Chunmei TITLE=Daytime naps and depression risk: A meta-analysis of observational studies JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology VOLUME=13 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1051128 DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1051128 ISSN=1664-1078 ABSTRACT=Background

The relationship between daytime napping and depression remains debatable. Thus, a meta-analysis in this study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between daytime napping and depression.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched up to February 2022, and the reference lists of the included studies were also retrieved. A random-effects model was used to estimate the combined effect size.

Results

Nine studies with 649,111 participants were included in the final analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) was 1.15 (95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.31) with a significant heterogeneity (I2 = 91.3%, P for heterogeneity <0.001), and the results demonstrated an increased risk of depressive symptoms among daytime nappers. Visual inspection of the funnel plot and Egger's and Begg's tests identified no obvious evidence of publication bias.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis indicates that daytime naps are a predictor of depression. The effects of daytime napping on depression may vary depending on the characteristics of people, the pattern of naps, and the individual's sleep experience. The findings may have significant implications for future research on depression.