Researchers explore the hidden pathways linking problematic caffeine use to sleep loss

A study of university students in Bangladesh found associations between specific caffeine use disorder symptoms and sleep problems. The study found that caffeine use disorder symptoms had both a direct effect on sleep problems and an indirect effect on sleep problems through depressive symptoms. The paper was published in Addictive Behaviors Reports.

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances. It is commonly used to increase alertness and reduce fatigue. Among university students, caffeine consumption is especially common because of demanding academic schedules, long study hours, and insufficient sleep. Although moderate caffeine use may temporarily improve wakefulness and concentration, excessive or poorly timed consumption can interfere with sleep quality.

Sleep disturbances are themselves associated with impaired daily functioning, poorer mood, and an increased risk of depressive symptoms. Caffeine use and mental health may therefore be connected through several interacting behavioral and psychological pathways. An important factor in understanding these relationships is why individuals consume caffeine, as motives may include increasing alertness, regulating mood, socializing, controlling weight, or relieving withdrawal symptoms.

Some individuals also develop problematic patterns of caffeine use. These patterns are characterized by difficulty reducing consumption despite experiencing negative consequences. Symptoms of caffeine use disorder may be associated with greater psychological distress, anxiety, and sleep problems.

Study author Shekh Tanjina Islam Dola and her colleagues investigated the relationship between caffeine use motives, caffeine use disorder symptoms, depression and sleep problems among university students. In their study, they used statistical techniques that allowed them to map associations between specific symptoms of each of these conditions and to test the direct and indirect pathways between them.

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The study participants were 530 students from the Barishal division of Bangladesh. They came from two public universities – Patuakhali Science and Technology University and University of Barisal. Participants’ average age was 22 years. 57% were male. 72% reported caffeine consumption. On average, caffeine consumers reported ingesting 1.9 cups of caffeine drinks (tea/coffee) per day.

Participants completed a survey that contained sociodemographic questions and assessments of caffeine consumption motives (the Caffeine Motives Questionnaire-21), caffeine use disorder symptoms (the Caffeine Use Disorder Questionnaire-10), sleep quality (the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale), and depressive symptoms (the Patient Health Questionnaire-9).

The results showed that caffeine intake was higher among smokers compared to non-smokers. It was also higher among those with loans or debts, those in certain academic years, and those with lower monthly family expenditures. It was not associated with age, gender, residency, income, and several other factors.

More severe caffeine use disorder symptoms were directly associated with more sleep problems and more severe depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were, in turn, associated with more sleep problems, meaning depression partially mediated the relationship between caffeine use disorder and sleep disturbances. The researchers also found that craving and withdrawal-related motives were key bridges connecting caffeine use disorder to these negative mental health and sleep outcomes.

“This study found a high prevalence of caffeine consumption among university students in Bangladesh and identified important psychological correlates, particularly depression and sleep problems. Network analysis suggests that certain features, especially craving and withdrawal-related symptoms, may play a key role in connecting caffeine use disorder with mental health and sleep-related outcomes,” the study authors concluded.

The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the links between caffeine consumption and mental health. However, it should be noted that study participants were exclusively university students, making generalizability of the findings to other demographic groups limited. Additionally, the cross-sectional design of the study does not allow any causal inferences to be derived from the results.

The paper, “From caffeine use motives to sleep disturbance: network and structural equation modeling of caffeine use disorder and depression among caffeine consumers,” was authored by Shekh Tanjina Islam Dola, Farhana Najnin, Md Bony Amin, Md. Shamim Sikder, Md. Joy Vangi, Jannatun Naeem, Md. Jahurul Islam Rony, Mst. Mushfika Rahman Takia, Md. Kamruzzaman, Abu Sayeed, Md. Shajadul Islam, and Saraban Tahura Ether.