Adolescents' Leisure Time Satisfaction and Behavioural Patterns

Abstract

This study aims to provide an overview of adolescents’ leisure time satisfaction and its relation to identified behavioural patterns. The sample consisted of 1358 Serbian secondary school students, 1st and 3rd grade. Within the broader questionnaire about adolescents' everyday life, participants answered about the level of satisfaction with spending their leisure time (scale 1-5), their preferable activities, and what they need to be more satisfied. Results show that every second adolescent is mostly satisfied. Significant effects were found for gender (t (1268) = 5,51, p < .00) and age (t (1342) = 2.81, p <.01), in favour of boys and first graders. Furthermore, adolescents who attend 3-year vocational schools (F (2, 1341) = 7.87, p < .00) are significantly more satisfied than those in 4-year vocational and grammar schools. Those with the lowest SES are less satisfied than those from other SES categories (F (5, 1331) = 4.59, p < .00). About half of adolescents (53%) estimate they need additional free time to be more satisfied. They mostly spend their leisure time using mobile phones (70%) and socializing (63%). Seven behavioural patterns (Information Technologies (IT), Pop Culture, Culture/Art/Music, Films/TV-Shows/Internet, Science/Politics, Going Out, and Sports) were identified (PAF, Varimax) and saved as factor scores (Cronbach’s Alpha > .70). Small but significant correlations were found between leisure time satisfaction and Culture/Art/Music (r = .10, p < .00), Science/Politics (r = .07, p < .01), Going Out (r = .11, p < .00) and Sports (r = .14, p < .00). Negative correlations only concern orientations towards IT (r = -.12, p < .01) and Films/TV-Shows/Internet (r = -.08, p < .00). In summary, younger and 3-year vocational male students, with higher SES display greater leisure time satisfaction. Fulfilment resulting from orientation towards culture, art, music, science, and politics seems connected to interests for acquiring knowledge and information. Moreover, Going Out and Sports are pleasant, socially engaging activities. Negative correlations with Films/TV-Shows/Internet could be explained by dissatisfaction from these activities’ passiveness and solitary nature. Finally, negative correlations between satisfaction and IT pattern might appear due to skill-mastering (even professional) activity type, which surpasses the leisure time. These conclusions refer to the need for further research of leisure time satisfaction and behavioural patterns.