Caffeine consumption and symptom severity among midlife Filipina Americans

Abstract

Caffeine has diverse effects on human physiology. Certain symptoms associated with caffeine consumption are similar to those reported by some women during midlife. Lifestyle factors such as caffeine consumption must be viewed within the context of culture and ethnicity. The Neuman Systems Model provided the theoretical framework for this secondary data analysis. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used to examine questions related to study variables. A cluster of symptoms (fatigue, palpitations, insomnia, GI distress) were described through the lens of both perimenopausal transition and caffeine consumption for a sample of 160 midlife Filipina Americans. No significant relationship was found between specific symptoms and symptom clusters and either caffeine consumption or perimenopausal status. Midlife Filipina Americans consume caffeine in low amounts and report mi nimal to mild symptom severity most often. Knowledge gained from this study may be applied to other groups to maintain congruency with ethnicity of clients.