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Abstract

Lack of sleep is a common theme throughout college students’ lives. Additionally, college students report being dependent on caffeine to perform their best.The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a link between how much caffeine students are using and how much sleep they are getting. The sample contained data from the 2011-2014 cohorts of the Spit for Science dataset. Both sleep and caffeine use data were collected at several points: first year fall semester (n=1799), third year spring semester (n=1918), and fourth year spring semester (n=859). Sleep data included the hours and minutes of sleep that students typically get per night. Caffeine use was asked by a simple yes or no “Do you drink any caffeinated beverages?” Independent sample t-tests were performed for each of the stated survey waves for caffeine use vs. the total hours of sleep of each cohort. The relationship between caffeine use and the total hours of sleep of the third year and fourth year spring surveys was found to be statistically significant (p=0.041 and p=0.034, respectively), with caffeine consumption related to decreased sleep. Additionally, linear regression was performed on both coffee and caffeinated soda use vs. total hours of sleep per week. Only first year fall semester (coffee) was found to be statistically significant (B= -0.514, p=<0.01). Sleep is an important part of well being, so additional research is needed to figure out how students’ sleep cycles are being affected in relation to their caffeine consumption.

Publication Date

2016

Subject Major(s)

Chemistry

Current Academic Year

Junior

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Amy Adkins

Rights

© The Author(s)

Relationship Between Caffeine Use and the Total Hours of Sleep Per Week

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