The Association between Academic Stress and Sleep Quality in Students Considering Caffeine Consumption and Timing of Caffeine Use

Sleep is fundamental for a healthy lifestyle, yet people commonly report problems regarding sleep quality. Poor sleep quality is also a frequent issue among college students. Sleep quality can be affected by various factors, including stress and the consumption of specific substances like caffeine. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the connections between caffeine consumption, caffeine time use, academic stress, and sleep quality. This study also investigated possible moderating roles of caffeine consumption and timing of caffeine consumption in the relationship between stress and sleep quality, as well as the evening caffeine use in the association between caffeine consumption and sleep quality. Data were gathered from 315 participants (78.4% female, mean age 20.8 years, SD = 2.52) in March 2020. Respondents completed online questionnaires, including the Law Student Perceived Stress Scale to measure stress levels, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to measure...Show moreSleep is fundamental for a healthy lifestyle, yet people commonly report problems regarding sleep quality. Poor sleep quality is also a frequent issue among college students. Sleep quality can be affected by various factors, including stress and the consumption of specific substances like caffeine. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the connections between caffeine consumption, caffeine time use, academic stress, and sleep quality. This study also investigated possible moderating roles of caffeine consumption and timing of caffeine consumption in the relationship between stress and sleep quality, as well as the evening caffeine use in the association between caffeine consumption and sleep quality. Data were gathered from 315 participants (78.4% female, mean age 20.8 years, SD = 2.52) in March 2020. Respondents completed online questionnaires, including the Law Student Perceived Stress Scale to measure stress levels, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to measure sleep quality, and self-reporting questions about caffeine, alcohol, and cannabis consumption. Multiple regression analyses with interactions were performed. A negative association between stress and sleep quality was found, indicating that more stress is related to poorer sleep quality; however, there was no association between stress and caffeine use, nor between caffeine and sleep quality. Furthermore, there was no evidence of moderation in any of the relationships. It appears that among college students, the relationship between stress and sleep quality may be influenced by other substances rather than caffeine itself. More investigation is warranted to provide clarity on the inconsistencies in the existing literature. Future research can focus on exploring the advantages of online interventions for students experiencing poor sleep quality.Show less

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The Association between Academic Stress and Sleep Quality in Students Considering Caffeine Consumption and Timing of Caffeine Use