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BMC Psychiatry. 2014 Apr 16;14:116. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-14-116.
Research has shown that individuals with schizophrenia use caffeine at higher rates than the general population; however, no qualitative research has been undertaken investigating problematic caffeine use and its effects on this population. This article explores the role of caffeine consumption in the lives of people with schizophrenia through a narrative analysis of the attitudes and beliefs associated with this practice, and how these, in turn, influence caffeine consumption.
A qualitative study was undertaken with individuals who had previously scored in either a 'moderate' or 'high' risk category for caffeine use on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Tool (ASSIST). In-depth interviews were undertaken with 20 individuals, and transcripts were analysed thematically to identify prominent perspectives.
Consistent with previous literature, participants' caffeine consumption was driven largely by its stimulating properties; however, participants also identified 'cravings' as an important motivating factor. Participants' behaviours related to caffeine consumption seemed to be tempered by their previous experiences of consumption; if participants had experienced positive effects such as alertness or relaxation in the past, their use was maintained at a similar level or increased. Conversely, participants who anticipated negative consequences often altered their patterns of caffeine consumption; for example, by substituting caffeinated drinks that minimised or ceased their experience of negative side effects for those that directly caused such impacts. Overall, participants largely identified caffeine consumption as a highly meaningful activity, which provided structure to their day and facilitated opportunities for social interaction.
The inconsistencies between individuals' beliefs about their health and the actual risk of harm associated with health-related behaviours present significant and ongoing challenges for the implementation of relevant and effective strategies for health promotion among individuals diagnosed with mental illness. As a starting point, it would be worthwhile for services engaging with people diagnosed with mental illness, and in particular schizophrenia, to consider implementing caffeine-related health literacy strategies to educate consumers about the risk of excessive caffeine consumption and the interactions between caffeine and antipsychotic medications.
研究表明，精神分裂症患者的咖啡因摄入量高于普通人群；然而，尚无针对该人群中与咖啡因相关的问题性使用及其影响的定性研究。本文通过对与这种做法相关的态度和信念的叙述性分析，探讨了咖啡因摄入在精神分裂症患者生活中的作用，以及这些态度和信念如何反过来影响咖啡因摄入。
对先前在酒精、吸烟和物质参与筛查工具（ASSIST）中得分处于“中度”或“高度”咖啡因使用风险类别的个体进行了定性研究。对 20 名参与者进行了深入访谈，并对转录本进行了主题分析，以确定突出的观点。
与先前的文献一致，参与者的咖啡因摄入量主要受其刺激特性驱动；然而，参与者也将“渴望”确定为一个重要的动机因素。参与者与咖啡因摄入相关的行为似乎受到他们以前的消费经验的影响；如果参与者过去有过警觉或放松等积极影响，他们的使用水平保持在相似水平或增加。相反，那些预计会产生负面后果的参与者通常会改变他们的咖啡因消费模式；例如，通过用最小化或停止他们经历负面副作用的含咖啡因饮料代替那些直接导致此类影响的饮料。总体而言，参与者主要将咖啡因摄入视为一项非常有意义的活动，它为他们的日常生活提供了结构，并为社交互动提供了机会。
个体对自身健康的信念与与健康相关的行为实际带来的健康风险之间的不一致，给针对精神疾病患者实施相关和有效的健康促进策略带来了重大且持续的挑战。作为一个起点，为与精神疾病患者，特别是与精神分裂症患者打交道的服务机构，考虑实施与咖啡因相关的健康素养策略是值得的，以教育消费者有关过量咖啡因摄入的风险以及咖啡因与抗精神病药物之间的相互作用。
