Caffeine consumption and its association with anxiety and depression among Turkish university students: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study investigated the association between caffeine consumption and anxiety and depression among Turkish university students, a population experiencing high academic stress and widespread caffeine use. A total of 261 students in Istanbul, Türkiye, completed structured questionnaires assessing socio-demographics, caffeine consumption, anxiety (Beck Anxiety Scale), and depression (Beck Depression Scale). Mean caffeine consumption was 166.5 ± 101.9 mg/day. Students with severe anxiety consumed significantly more caffeine compared to those with normal or minimal anxiety. A positive correlation was found between caffeine consumption and anxiety scores (r = 0.137, p = 0.026), whereas no significant correlation emerged with depression. Regression showed caffeine consumption was significantly associated with severe anxiety (OR = 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001–1.005, p = 0.005), but not depression (p = 0.134). Higher daily caffeine consumption was associated with elevated anxiety levels among university students, whereas no relationship was observed with depression. These findings suggest that caffeine, a modifiable lifestyle factor, may contribute to anxiety severity in young adults.