Title: Caffeine Intake and Anxiety in College Students
By: Ellen Altenhoff and Jordan Fitzgerald

Abstract:
As one of the most commonly consumed central nervous system stimulants in the world, caffeine is regularly consumed by American adults, with college students being the biggest consumers. Caffeine can be found in consumables such as tea, soda, and energy drinks. Individuals report consuming caffeine for reasons including social purposes, personal enjoyment, and improved concentration. Of the adverse effects of caffeine consumption, one of the most common among college students specifically are feelings of anxiety. With the daily life expectations of a higher education student, there is no surprise that levels of anxiety are increased among the college student population. Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought upon a whole new experience that the world had to adjust to. Many students experienced increased anxiety due to campuses and businesses being closed down and other campus amenities becoming unavailable. These changes brought forth many unknowns and challenges for students as they continue on their academic journey. Going forward, universities should implement steps, and continue research on how to support students and recognize anxiety at the collegiate level. We conducted a cross-sectional mixed-method study at Davenport University and collected data from about 150 students. After asking for faculty permission on campus, we entered individual classrooms to present our research and encourage students to participate in the study. Each student completed two surveys including demographics, year in college, anxiety, and self-reported caffeine consumption including the rate and amount. The digitally administered survey was titled Impact of College Student Occupations and COVID-19 on Anxiety. We also collected paper self-reported anxiety levels using the Adult Manifested Anxiety Scale for college students (AMAS-C). The prevalence and severity of anxiety will be determined through the AMAS-C quantitative data. The qualitative data will be analyzed and themes will be determined using Excel software. In order to protect the privacy of participants, students returned their paper AMAS-C face down in an envelope at the front of the classroom. As we examine the qualitative and quantitative data, we will be able to determine whether or not an increase in caffeine consumption directly correlates to these students' anxiety levels. We predict that our data will demonstrate that there is a relationship between these two things.

Objectives:
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between caffeine consumption and the anxiety levels of college students.

Methodology:
A cross-sectional mixed-method exploratory study.