Predicting Stress Based on Energy Drink Use and Academic Pressure in Students

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the predictive roles of academic pressure and energy drink consumption on perceived stress levels among university students in Bangladesh. A correlational descriptive design was used involving 490 undergraduate students selected using stratified random sampling. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Academic Stress Inventory (ASI), and the Energy Drink Consumption Questionnaire (EDCQ) were administered to assess stress, academic pressure, and energy drink use, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to examine the relationships between the dependent variable (stress) and each independent variable (academic pressure and energy drink use). A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the joint predictive ability of the two independent variables on perceived stress. All assumptions for regression analysis were tested and confirmed. Results revealed significant positive correlations between perceived stress and both academic pressure (r = .64, p < .01) and energy drink use (r = .42, p < .01). The multiple regression model was statistically significant, F(2, 487) = 216.12, p < .001, explaining 47% of the variance in stress scores (R² = .47). Both academic pressure (β = .61, p < .001) and energy drink use (β = .27, p < .001) were significant predictors of perceived stress, with academic pressure showing a stronger influence. The findings indicate that academic pressure is a dominant predictor of stress among university students, while energy drink consumption also contributes significantly to elevated stress levels. These results highlight the need for institutional strategies that target both academic workload management and health-risk behaviors to promote student mental well-being.