Excessive caffeine use and its consequence on mental illness: a cross-sectional study in Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Coffee is one of the most popular beverages globally. People often drink coffee for its caffeine content and its stimulating effects. However, excessive coffee consumption, like any other dietary or behavioral excess, can negatively affect physical and mental health. This study investigates the association between excessive coffee use and mental problems. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 respondents in Aceh, Indonesia. Excessive coffee use was measured using a questionnaire, while mental illness was screened using DASS-21. Other sociodemographic variables were also examined and treated as possible predictors. The prevalence of excessive coffee use (>400 mg per day) was 15.6%. The prevalence of depression was 23.2%, anxiety was 40.8%, and stress was 12.8%. The amount of caffeine consumption was correlated with depression (rs = 0.11, p = 0.01), anxiety (rs = 0.13, p = 0.001), and stress (rs = 0.14, p = 0.001), indicating that as the amount of coffee consumption increased, the score of mental problem also increased. The study established a noteworthy correlation between caffeine intake and mental health, suggesting that as coffee consumption increased, so did the scores for depression, anxiety, and stress. These findings underscore the importance of considering coffee consumption habits and their potential impact on mental well-being in clinical and public health contexts.