Daily dynamics of the temporal orientations of mind wandering: chronotype matters!

Abstract

Theoretical accounts link mind wandering with attentional and executive processes, both of which exhibit time-of-day fluctuations influenced by chronotype. While previous studies have proposed increased mind wandering at nonpreferred times of the day, these findings come from methodologically limited designs. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), we revisited this hypothesis and examined how mind wandering is associated with time of day and chronotype, hypothesizing that mind wandering would be more likely to occur during nonpreferred times of the day. Additionally, we took an exploratory approach and investigated previously unexplored daily fluctuations in temporal orientations of mind wandering in different chronotypes. A total of 152 participants were involved in an EMA, rendering a total of 13 001 successfully completed samples. Generalized linear and linear mixed models were employed to investigate the associations between chronotype, time of day, mind wandering, and its temporal orientations. A pronounced time-of-day dynamic was observed, pointing to a gradually decreasing probability of mind wandering over the course of the day; however, no chronotype synchrony effect was observed. Daily dynamics of the temporal orientation of mind wandering were significantly predicted by chronotype. While eveningness was associated with an increase in the proportion of future-oriented thoughts and a decrease in that of present-oriented thoughts throughout the day, the opposite was found for morningness. These findings suggest that time of day is associated with the probability of mind wandering and its temporal orientation, the latter moderated by an individual's chronotype.