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Open Access 01-07-2018 | Original Article

Can organized leisure-time activities buffer the negative outcomes of unstructured activities for adolescents’ health?

Authors: Petr Badura, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Dagmar Sigmundova, Erik Sigmund, Jitse P. van Dijk, Sijmen A. Reijneveld

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 6/2018

Abstract

Objectives

We aimed to assess the associations of involvement in selected unstructured activities (UA) with health-risk behaviours and academic achievement and the degree to which the participation in organized leisure-time activities (OLTA) changes these associations.

Methods

Using a sample of 6935 Czech adolescents aged 13 and 15 years, we investigated adolescents’ weekly involvement in hanging out, visiting shopping malls for fun and meeting friends after 8 p.m., OLTA and engagement in three health-risk behaviours and academic achievement.

Results

Weekly involvement in the selected UA was associated with higher odds for regular smoking, being drunk, having early sexual intercourse and low academic achievement. Concurrent participation in OLTA did not buffer these negative outcomes, except for sexual experience. However, those highly engaged only in UA were more likely to participate in the health-risk behaviours and report worse academic achievement than those participating in any OLTA concurrently.

Conclusions

The selected UA are strongly associated with an increased occurrence of adolescents’ health-risk behaviours and low academic achievement. Concurrent participation in OLTA does not buffer these negative outcomes significantly, but adolescents engaged only in UA consistently report the least favourable outcomes.

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Title: Can organized leisure-time activities buffer the negative outcomes of unstructured activities for adolescents’ health?
Authors: Petr Badura
Andrea Madarasova Geckova
Dagmar Sigmundova
Erik Sigmund
Jitse P. van Dijk
Sijmen A. Reijneveld
Publication date: 01-07-2018
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-018-1125-3

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Can organized leisure-time activities buffer the negative outcomes of unstructured activities for adolescents’ health?

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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