Date of Defense

4-23-2026

Date of Graduation

5-2026

Department

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

John Spitsbergen

Second Advisor

Cindy Linn

Third Advisor

David Huffman

Abstract

College students frequently rely on caffeine to manage academic demands, yet its physiological and psychological effects on acute stress remain poorly understood. Although caffeine is known to increase cardiovascular arousal and self‑reported anxiety, little research has compared different caffeine sources within the same individuals or examined whether brief behavioral interventions can buffer these effects. Self‑affirmation, a short writing exercise centered on personal values, has been shown to reduce stress reactivity, but its interaction with caffeine‑induced arousal has not been tested. This within‑subjects study examines how coffee, energy drinks, and a no‑caffeine control influence acute cardiovascular and self‑reported stress responses, and whether a guided self‑affirmation task reduces these responses. Participants completed three sessions that included baseline heart rate, blood pressure, and acute stress ratings. They then consumed the assigned beverage and completed a self‑affirmation writing task during the absorption period. All physiological and psychological measures were repeated afterward. This design allowed for direct comparisons across caffeine conditions while controlling for individual differences in baseline stress and caffeine sensitivity. Results revealed a more nuanced pattern than expected. Caffeinated beverages did not consistently elevate physiological or psychological stress relative to the control condition, and the energy drink did not produce greater arousal than coffee. Instead, participants generally showed decreases in perceived stress and stable or reduced cardiovascular measures across all conditions. These findings indicate that simple, accessible strategies may support stress management for students who rely on caffeine during high‑demand periods.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

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