Caffeine consumption and its association with psychological functioning in a college population

Though research about caffeine use and its effects in adults is fairly substantial, little is known about caffeine use in adolescents. Using an online survey, we examined the habitual weekly caffeine consumption and its association with behavior, caffeine dependency and withdrawal, and sleep in a college sample (n = 252). Most respondents (79%) were regular caffeine consumers (consumed at least one type of caffeinated beverage more than once per week). Caffeine consumption was positively correlated with alcohol consumption and the following behavioral and emotional problems as measured by the Youth Self Report: somatic complaints, rule breaking behavior, externalizing problems, affective problems, and conduct problems. The most reported dependency criterion among regular caffeine consumers was having tried to limit caffeine consumption (50.8%). Of those who indicated having experienced withdrawal symptoms (n = 74), 49.3% said that withdrawal symptoms had interfered with their normal daily activities. Greater caffeine use was associated with greater sleep complaints. This study extends the minimal research on caffeine use in late adolescents by demonstrating that many in the college population experience significant functioning due to withdrawal and that habitual caffeine consumption is correlated with behavior patterns.