The relationship between time perception and overthinking with sleep problems in individuals with chronic depression: the mediating role of cerebral lateralization

Articles in Press

Document Type : Englise Original Article

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 PhD student in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

10.22108/cbs.2026.145264.2017

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the structural model of time perception and overthinking in relation to sleep problems among individuals with chronic depression, with a particular focus on the mediating role of brain lateralization. This applied research employed a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The statistical population consisted of 160 individuals with chronic depression from Khoy County, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires on time perception, sleep disturbances, hemispheric dominance, and rumination, and analyzed using SPSS-22 and Smart PLS software. The results indicated that overthinking and distorted time perception were directly associated with sleep problems. Additionally, hemispheric dominance significantly mediated the relationship between time perception and sleep problems, but no significant mediating role was found in the relationship between overthinking and sleep problems. Model fit indices indicated a good fit between the model and the data. The findings highlight the importance of cognitive and neural factors in explaining sleep problems in individuals with chronic depression. These results pave the way for the development of integrated therapeutic interventions focusing on the regulation of hemispheric activity and the management of cognitive factors.management of cognitive factors.

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Main Subjects

Research in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 June 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 08 June 2026
  • Accept Date: 22 June 2026

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