RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION AND PERCEIVED STRESS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS
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Keywords
Caffeine consumption; Perceived stress; PSS-10; Medical students; Sleep quality; Academic stress
Abstract
Background: Medical students often experience high levels of stress due to demanding academic schedules. Caffeine consumption, widely used to combat fatigue and enhance alertness, may influence perceived stress and sleep quality. However, the relationship between caffeine intake and stress in Indian medical students remains underexplored.
Objective: To examine the association between daily caffeine consumption and perceived stress, measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), among undergraduate medical students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 medical students using an online questionnaire. Data on demographics, lifestyle habits, caffeine intake, and sleep duration were collected. Caffeine consumption was quantified in milligrams per day and categorized as low (<100 mg/day), moderate (100–300 mg/day), or high (>300 mg/day). Stress levels were assessed using the PSS-10. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and Kruskal–Wallis tests to evaluate differences in stress across caffeine categories.
Results: The majority of participants reported moderate caffeine intake (51%) and 6–7 hours of sleep per night. The overall mean PSS-10 score was 16.5 ± 3.5, indicating moderate stress. Higher caffeine consumption was significantly associated with elevated perceived stress (ANOVA F = 13.52, p < 0.001; Kruskal–Wallis H = 20.76, p < 0.001). Caffeine intake increased progressively across academic years, with senior students exhibiting slightly higher stress scores.
Conclusion: Higher caffeine consumption among medical students is associated with increased perceived stress, potentially compounded by insufficient sleep. These findings highlight the need for stress management strategies, education on safe caffeine use, and promotion of healthy coping mechanisms in medical training programs.
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J. Suriakumar
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India.
T. Murugalakshmi
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India.