THE IMPACT OF CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION ON SLEEP QUALITY AND MEMORY PERFORMANCE IN ADULTS
Keywords:
Adults, Caffeine, Cognitive Performance, Memory, Sleep Disturbance, Sleep QualityAbstract
This study examined how caffeine consumption affects sleep quality and memory functioning in adults, with a specific focus on sleep quality as a mediating variable. Using a cross-sectional correlational design, 200 adults (aged 18–60) were recruited from urban professional environments and university settings through convenience sampling. Three instruments were administered: a researcher-developed Demographic and Caffeine Consumption Sheet, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ). Descriptive findings indicated that nearly half the sample (45%) fell in the moderate caffeine intake range (3–4 daily servings). The mean PSQI score (M = 8.10, SD = 3.10) exceeded the clinical threshold for poor sleep, while CFQ scores (M = 44.20, SD = 11.30) reflected moderate everyday cognitive lapses. Pearson correlations showed significant positive associations between caffeine intake and impaired sleep (r = .49, p < .01), between poor sleep and memory deficits (r = .58, p < .01), and between caffeine intake and memory difficulties (r = .35, p < .01). Multiple regression indicated that caffeine (β = .21) and sleep quality (β = .48) together accounted for 41% of the variance in memory performance. Mediation analysis further confirmed that sleep quality partially mediates the caffeine–memory relationship: greater caffeine consumption disrupts sleep, which in turn contributes to reduced memory performance. Both direct and indirect pathways from caffeine to memory impairment were statistically significant. These results underscore the importance of moderating caffeine use and fostering consistent sleep routines as strategies for preserving cognitive health.
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