Associations between energy drink consumption and Big Five personality traits among Japanese adults

BACKGROUND: This study examined the associations between energy drink consumption and personality traits using the Big Five personality model and sensation seeking in a Japanese adult sample. Energy drink consumption has been linked to health problems and risk behaviors. The aim of this study was to identify the personality characteristics of energy drink consumers to provide insights for preventing excessive or harmful consumption. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey. Participants completed measures of the Big Five personality traits, sensation seeking, and the frequency of energy drink consumption. A total of 789 Japanese adults (397 women and 392 men; age range: 20-59 years) were analyzed. RESULTS: Ordinal logistic regression analyses revealed a positive association between energy drink consumption and Extraversion. This association was attenuated after adjusting for sensation-seeking facets. This pattern of association was observed even after adjusting for other beverage consumption. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that the Big Five framework can be used to identify the personality characteristics of energy drink consumers. In particular, individuals with a high need for stimulation-a facet of Extraversion-were more likely to consume energy drinks. These findings may inform public health strategies addressing the potential risks associated with energy drink consumption.