Abstract
In diathesis-stress models of psychosis, cortisol released in response to stressors is proposed to play a role in the development of psychotic experiences. Individual differences in cortisol response to stressors are therefore likely to play a role in proneness to psychotic experiences. As caffeine has been found to increase cortisol response to a given stressor, we proposed that, when levels of stress were controlled for, caffeine intake would be related to hallucination-proneness and persecutory ideation. Caffeine intake, stress, hallucination-proneness and persecutory ideation were assessed by self-report questionnaires in a non-clinical sample (N = 219). Caffeine intake was positively related to stress levels and hallucination-proneness, but not persecutory ideation. When stress levels were controlled for, caffeine intake predicted levels of hallucination-proneness but not persecutory ideation. Implications of these findings are discussed and avenues for future research suggested.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 562-564 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Personality and Individual Differences |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Coffee
- Hallucination
- Persecutory ideation
- Psychosis
- Schizophrenia
- Tea