Title: The Relationship Between Stress Levels and Caffeine Consumption in High School Students
Abstract: This study examined the relationship between perceived stress levels and caffeine consumption among 50 high school students from a suburban public high school. Students completed a survey that assessed their daily stress levels, sources of stress, weekly caffeine intake from coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks. Correlational analysis found a significant positive relationship between stress levels and caffeine intake, indicating that students who reported higher stress levels also reported consuming more caffeine on a weekly basis. Sources of stress such as schoolwork pressure, extracurricular activities, relationships and college preparation were most commonly reported. Further research should explore the factors influencing students’ coping strategies and whether caffeine serves as a meaningful strategy for managing stress.
Introduction: Stress is common among high school students balancing academic demands, extracurricular activities, peer and family relationships, and preparing for college or careers after graduation (American Psychological Association, 2018). High levels of prolonged stress can negatively impact students’ physical health, mental well-being and academic performance (Mokrue & Acri, 2015). It is important to understand how students are perceiving and coping with stress during this developmental period.
One commonly used coping strategy is the consumption of caffeinated beverages. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that increases alertness and improves mood in the short term (Heatherley et al., 2006). For many teens and young adults, coffee, tea, sodas and energy drinks have become normalized parts of their daily routines (Reissig et al., 2009). Using caffeine as a means of coping with stress raises questions about its effectiveness and potential for abuse or addiction over time.
The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived stress levels and weekly caffeine consumption among high school students. Specifically, it was hypothesized that students reporting higher stress would also report consuming greater amounts of caffeine on a weekly basis, potentially using it as a tool for coping. Understanding this relationship can provide insights into stress management strategies used by students and areas for intervention.
Method:
Participants
Participants were 50 male and female students (ages 16-18 years, mean age=16.8) from a public high school located in a suburban area. The sample included students from all grade levels (freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors) to capture a range of academic experiences. Participants were recruited through announcements made in various classrooms across different subject areas.
Materials and Procedure
After obtaining consent, participants completed a paper-based survey during one class period. The survey consisted of three parts:
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; Cohen, 1983): A 10-item self-report measure of perceived stress over the last month. Questions ask about perceived control over life situations and unpredictability of day-to-day experiences. Response options range from 0 (never) to 4 (very often). Higher total scores indicate greater perceived stress levels.
Sources of Stress: An 8-item checklist assessing common stressors for high school students such as schoolwork, extracurricular activities, relationships, college preparation, finances, health, family issues and work responsibilities. Participants indicated which sources contributed to their stress in the past month.
Caffeine Consumption: Participants estimated their average weekly intake of caffeinated beverages including coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks. Intake was measured in standard serving sizes (e.g. 8 oz coffee, 12 oz soda).
Data Analysis
Descriptive statistics characterized perceived stress levels, sources of stress, and weekly caffeine intake. Correlational analyses examined the relationship between perceived stress (PSS scores) and weekly caffeine consumption. An alpha level of 0.05 was used for all statistical tests.
Results:
Perceived Stress Levels
PSS scores ranged from 8 to 30 with a mean of 17.8 (SD=5.6), indicating moderate stress levels on average across the student sample. Twenty-two students (44%) reported PSS scores of 15 or below, considered low-to-moderate stress, while 28 students (56%) reported scores of 16 or above, considered moderate-to-high stress.
Sources of Stress
The most commonly reported sources of stress were schoolwork (86%), extracurricular activities (58%), relationships (46%), college preparation (40%), and finances (32%). Health issues, family problems and work responsibilities contributed to stress for fewer than 20% of students each. On average, students reported dealing with 2-3 sources of stress simultaneously.
Caffeine Consumption
Weekly caffeine intake ranged from 0 to 35 servings with a mean of 15.2 servings (SD=9.2). Forty-six students (92%) reported consuming caffeinated beverages at least 3 times per week on average. Coffee was the primary source of caffeine (62% consumed at least 1 cup daily), followed by soda (24% consumed 1-2 cans daily) and energy drinks (18% consumed 1-2 cans weekly). Tea and other caffeinated beverages played a lesser role.
Relationship Between Stress and Caffeine
A Pearson product-moment correlation revealed a moderate positive relationship between perceived stress (PSS scores) and weekly caffeine intake, r(48)=0.43, p<0.01. Higher stress levels were associated with greater weekly caffeine consumption.
Discussion:
This study investigated the relationship between stress levels and caffeine intake in high school students. As predicted, higher perceived stress correlated significantly with greater weekly caffeine consumption. Over half the students reported moderate-to-high stress levels. The top stressors centered around academic demands such as schoolwork and college preparation, suggesting these are key areas impacting students' well-being.
Andrew Stroud