CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION, PERCEIVED STRESS AND ANXIETY IN SINGAPOREAN UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

Caffeine consumption is very common amongst undergraduate students in Singapore. However, the psychoactive drug has negative effects such as heightened anxiety. Perceived stress is also associated with increased caffeine consumption. As Singaporean students are already known to experience high levels of anxiety and stress, it is imperative to implement an intervention to mediate caffeine consumption amongst undergraduate students. Journaling as an intervention has proven to work in raising awareness of behaviour and promoting overall well-being (Smyth et.al, 2018) and was used as an intervention in this study to target a change in caffeine consumption behaviour. Thirty-five undergraduates from the National University of Singapore were recruited to participate in a week-long mixed-methods journaling study to reflect on causes of perceived stress and anxiety and their methods of coping. They were also asked to report the number of cups of caffeine consumed per day via an online platform. A follow-up study was conducted a week after the initial experiment week. Results from the study showed a successful decrease in caffeine consumption. However, more research should be conducted in this area of study as there was no significant correlation between perceived stress and caffeine consumption, and no correlation between caffeine consumption and anxiety.