Leonie Balter
Leonie Balter (Associate Professor) works at Stockholm University (Sweden), Karolinska Institutet, and Donders Institute (Netherlands). Her research investigates how sleep, circadian, and immune-related processes shape motivation, cognition, and mental health, with a particular focus on understanding individual differences in mental health and cognitive functioning.
​Do Sleep and Circadian Processes Shape Individual Differences in Mental Health?
Sleep and intrinsic circadian rhythms influence how we think, feel, and behave, yet their role in shaping individual differences in mental health is often overlooked. In this talk, I will explore how variations in sleep patterns and circadian timing relate to differences in mood, motivation, and cognition. Drawing on findings from laboratory studies and momentary assessments of daily life, I will show how sleep and circadian processes interact with psychological traits to create diverse mental health profiles. The talk will highlight why understanding temporal patterns of psychological processes can be as important as understanding what they are, and discuss how a circadian perspective can open new avenues for research and prevention in mental health.