Caffeine, Daytime Sleepiness, and Conduct Problems Among Early Adolescents: A Longitudinal Analysis

Purpose: Recent research suggests that caffeine use may promote a range of adjustment difficulties among adolescents, particularly during the middle school years. The effects of caffeine are particularly concerning given the increased use of high-dosage caffeine products, such as energy drinks, among youth. We investigated the influence of caffeine use on trajectories of conduct problems among early adolescents. Daytime sleepiness was tested as mediator of caffeine's effect. Methods: Hypotheses were tested with longitudinal (4 waves) data from 2,633 middle school students beginning in the Fall of sixth grade and concluding in the spring of seventh grade. All students in a single class cohort at 20 West Virginia middle schools were invited to participate. Results: Controlling for family affluence and management practices and pubertal development, use of more than 100 mg of caffeine significantly predicted linear increases in conduct problems over time (Est. = 0.23, p = .015). Increases in daytime sleepiness partially mediated this effect (Est. = 0.22, p = .002). Discussion: Caffeine use and daytime sleepiness are important vulnerability factors for the emergence of conduct problems.