Reasons for consumption and heavy caffeine use: generalization of a model based on alcohol research

The extent of alcohol consumption and problems has been found to be related to the types of reasons for consuming. At least two types of motives have been identified ("personal effects" and "social") with "personal effects" motives related to higher consumption and more alcohol problems. The present study tested the applicability of this model to caffeine consumption, in particular, coffee and tea. Eighteen motives for consuming coffee and tea were used to predict coffee/tea consumption, dependence, and problems. Principal component analyses identified four types of motives: two social ("sociability" and "beverage") and two personal effects ("stimulant" and "relief"). Overall, the "relief" and "stimulant" types of motives were the best predictors for all criterion measures (consumption, dependence and problems); "beverage" motives strongly predicted consumption and dependence; and "sociability" motives were least useful in predicting all criterion measures. These results are consistent with research on the relationship between extent of alcohol consumption/problems and reasons for consuming.