Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Social Differences in Leisure Boredom and its Consequences for Life Satisfaction Among Young People

  • Published:
Child Indicators Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In recent years we have seen a growing interest in young people’s leisure time. Since leisure boredom is consistently associated with different emotional and societal problems, concerns about the occurrence of leisure boredom are an integral part of this interest. Against that background, this paper studies social variation in boredom during leisure time and its consequences for life satisfaction among pupils following secondary education in Flanders (the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium; N = 1598). In general girls, younger pupils and pupils who are enrolled in vocational education experience leisure boredom more often. In-depth analyses, however, show interesting interaction effects between these characteristics. In addition, leisure boredom correlates positively with a weak social network and a lack of parental monitoring. After taking these characteristics into account there remains no direct relationship between material and cultural deprivation and the occurrence of leisure boredom. We also find that leisure boredom, even after taking into account many other characteristics of young people’s social, economic and cultural living environment, significantly predicts low life satisfaction. In the conclusion we discuss the implications of our findings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Leisure time is defined here as time not devoted to sleeping, personal care, child care and domestic work (cooking, …), travelling, and obligatory activities (work, school).

  2. Although we acknowledge the importance of the role of social media in the social capital of young people we only had one item to measure this: “How often the respondent was using internet to communicate (chatting, skyping, mailing, facebook, …)”. The correlation between reporting leisure boredom and the use of social networks was weak but in the expected direction (r = −.039; p < .001). We did not include this variable in the model because in order to interpret this correlation from a more causality-oriented perspective we would need information on young people’s total leisure time consumption (in order to minimalize the odds on spurious correlations) which falls beyond the scope of this paper.

  3. The response rate for the parents was 30.8% . The non-response analysis revealed that parents in the Brussels’ sample, parents with children in the highest grade of secondary education, those with children that mainly live with the father, those with children that do not live at home, those with children in vocational and technical education, and Muslim parents were somewhat underrepresented in our sample.

  4. As our dependent variable (boredom) is an ordinal variable, with unequal distances between the six answer categories and therefore does not align with the working assumptions of OLS-regression, a Poisson regression was also tested. However, the results of this Poisson regression corresponded to our presented results (results available on request).

References

  • Athenstaedt, U., Mikula, G., & Bredt, C. (2009). Gender role self-concept and leisure activities of adolescents. Sex Roles, 60(5–6), 399–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbalet, J. M. (1999). Boredom and social meaning. British Journal of Sociology, 50(4), 631–646.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, L. A., & Klitzing, S. W. (2006). Boredom in free time: relationships with personality, affect, and motivation for different gender, racial and ethnic student groups. Leisure Sciences, 28(3), 223–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baxter, J. (2011). An examination of the characteristics and time use of those who have unfilled spare time. International Journal of Time Use Research, 8(1), 30–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergman, M. M., & Scott, J. (2001). Young adolescents’ wellbeing and health-risk behaviours: gender and socio-economic differences. Journal of Adolescence, 24(2), 183–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berten, H., & Piessens, A. (2014). Vrijetijdsbesteding en –beleving van leerlingen uit het Nederlandstalig Onderwijs in het Brussels hoofdstedelijk gewest. Elsene: Onderzoekscentrum Kind & Samenleving vzw.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A social critique of the judgement of taste. Harvard: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P. (2011). The forms of capital (1986). In I. Szeman & T. Kaposy (Eds.), Cultural theory: An anthology (pp. 81–94). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, J., & Zillmann, D. (1984). Using television to alleviate boredom and stress: selective exposure as a function of induced excitational states. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 28(1), 1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell, L., & Smith, E. A. (2006). Leisure as a context for young people development and delinquency prevention. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 39(3), 398–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell, L. L., Darling, N., Payne, L. L., & Dowdy, B. (1999). ‘Why are you bored?’: an examination of psychological and social control causes of boredom among adolescents. Journal of Leisure Research, 31(2), 103–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darden, D. K., & Marks, A. H. (1999). Boredom: a socially disvalued emotion. Sociological Spectrum, 19(1), 13–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dicintio, M. J., & Gee, S. (1999). Control is the key: unlocking the motivation of at-risk students. Psychology in the Schools, 36(3), 231–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dishion, T. J., & McMahon, R. J. (1998). Parental monitoring and the prevention of child and adolescent problem behavior: a conceptual and empirical formulation. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 1(1), 61–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eastwood, J. D., Frischen, A., Fenske, M. J., & Smilek, D. (2012). The unengaged mind: defining boredom in terms of attention. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7(5), 482–495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evertsson, M. (2006). The reproduction of gender: housework and attitudes towards gender equality in the home among Swedish boys and girls. The British Journal of Sociology, 57(3), 415–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fahlman, S. A., Mercer, K. B., Gaskovski, P., Eastwood, A. E., & Eastwood, J. D. (2009). Does a lack of life meaning cause boredom? Results from psychometric, longitudinal, and experimental analyses. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28(3), 307–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fahlman, S. A., Mercer-Lynn, K. B., Flora, D. B., & Eastwood, J. D. (2011). Development and validation of the multidimensional state boredom scale. Assessment, 20(1), 68–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farmer, R., & Sundberg, N. D. (1986). Boredom proneness – The development and correlates of a new scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 50(1), 4–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, C. D. (1993). Boredom at work: a neglected concept. Human Relations, 46(3), 395–417.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glorieux, I., & van Tienoven, T. P. (2009). Gender en tijdsbesteding. Verschillen en evolutie in de tijdsbesteding van Belgische vrouwen en mannen (2005, 1999 en 1966). Brussel: Instituut voor de Gelijkheid van Vrouwen en Mannen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Granzin, K. L., & Haggard, L. M. (2000). An integrative explanation for quality of life: development and test of a structural model. Advances in Quality of Life Theory and Research, 4, 31–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haller, M., Hadler, M., & Kaup, G. (2013). Leisure time in modern societies: a new source of boredom and stress? Social Indicators Research, 111(2), 403–434.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, M. B. (2000). Correlates and characteristics of boredom proneness and boredom. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30(3), 576–598.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartup, W. W., & Stevens, N. (1997). Friendships and adaptation in the life course. Psychological Bulletin, 121(3), 355–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huebner, A. J., & Mancini, J. A. (2003). Shaping structured out-of-school time use among young people: the effects of self, family, and friend systems. Journal of Young People and Adolescence, 32(6), 453–463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson, S. L., Baldwin, C. K., & Caldwell, L. L. (2003). Differentiating parent practices related to adolescent behavior in the free time context. Journal of Leisure Research, 35(4), 396–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iso-Ahola, S., & Weissinger, E. (1990). Perceptions of boredom in leisure: conceptualization, reliability and validity of the leisure boredom scale. Journal of Leisure Research, 22(1), 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iwasaki, Y. (2007). Leisure and quality of life in an international and multicultural context: what are major pathways linking leisure to quality of life? Social Indicators Research, 82(2), 233–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiménez-Iglesias, A., Moreno, C., Ramos, P., & Rivera, F. (2015). What family dimensions are important for health-related quality of life in adolescence ? Journal of Young People Studies, 18(1), 53–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kulik, L. (2002). The impact of social background on gender-role ideology: parents’ versus children’s attitudes. Journal of Family Issues, 23(1), 53–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lareau, A. (2003). Unequal childhoods: Class, race, and family life. California: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lievens, J., Siongers, J., & Waege, H. (2015). Participatie in Vlaanderen 1 Basisgegevens en kerncijfers van de Participatiesurvery 2014. Leuven: Acco.

  • Malmberg, L.-E., & Trempala, J. (1997). Anticipated transition to adulthood: the effect of educational track, gender, and self-evaluation on Finnish and Polish adolescents’ future orientation. Journal of Young People and Adolescence, 26(5), 517–537.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marion, M., Sadlo, G., & Stew, G. (2006). The phenomenon of boredom. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(3), 193–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, P., & Besemer, K. (2014). Poverty and social networks – evidence review. Edinburgh: University of Stirling.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, B. P., Funderburk, J. A., Lee, Y., & Hale-Fought, M. (2005). Activity characteristics and emotional experience: predicting boredom and anxiety in the daily life of community mental health clients. Journal of Leisure Research, 37(2), 236–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKinney, C., & Renk, K. (2008). Differential parenting between mothers and fathers. Implications for late adolescents. Journal of Family Issues, 29(6), 806–827.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meire, J. (2010). Kostbare kindertijd. Hoe gaan kinderen om met de organisatie van hun dagelijkse (vrije) tijd? Een belevingsonderzoek. Meise: Kind & Samenleving vzw.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercer-Lynn, K. B., Bar, R. J., & Eastwood, J. D. (2014). Causes of boredom: the person, the situation or both? Personality and Individual Differences, 56(1), 122–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulas, W. L., & Vodanovich, S. J. (1993). The essence of boredom. Psychological Record, 43(1), 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newberry, A. L., & Duncan, R. D. (2001). Roles of boredom and life goals in juvenile delinquency. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 31(3), 527–541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohlander, J., Batalova, J., & Treas, J. (2005). Explaining educational influences on attitudes toward homosexual relations. Social Science Research, 34(4), 781–799.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pekrun, R., Goetz, T., Daniels, L. M., Stupnisky, R. H., & Perry, R. P. (2010). Boredom in achievement settings: exploring control–value antecedents and performance outcomes of a neglected emotion. Journal of Educational Psychology, 102(3), 531–549.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pettit, G. S., Laird, R. D., Dodge, K. A., Bates, J. E., & Criss, M. M. (2001). Antecedents and behavior-problem outcomes of parental monitoring and psychological control in early adolescence. Child Development, 72(2), 583–598.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ragheb, M. G., & Merydith, S. P. (2001). Development and validation of a multidimensional scale measuring free time boredom. Leisure Studies, 20(1), 41–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., Mims, V., & Koestner, R. (1983). Relation of reward contingency and interpersonal context to intrinsic motivation: a review and test using cognitive evaluation theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45(4), 736–750.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp, E. H., Caldwell, L. L., Grahacm, J. W., & Ridenour, T. A. (2006). Individual motivation and parental influence on adolescents’ experiences of interest in free time: a longitudinal examination. Journal of Young People and Adolescence, 35(3), 340–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, S. M., Caldwell, L. L., & Kleiber, D. A. (1996). Boredom, stress and social control in the daily activities of adolescents. Journal of Leisure Research, 28(4), 274–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinnaeve, I., Schillemans, L., et al. (2006). Thuis tv-kijken, voetballen of naar de jeugdbeweging!? Vrije tijd in het jeugdonderzoek 2000–2005. In N. Vettenburg & M. Elchardus (Eds.), Jongeren van nu en straks. Overzicht en synthese van recent jeugdonderzoek in Vlaanderen. Leuven: Lannoo Campus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siongers, J., & Lievens, J. (2014). Genderverschillen in cultuurparticipatie bij jongeren. In B. Spruyt & J. Siongers (Eds.), Gender (en): over de constructie en deconstructie van gender bij Vlaamse jongeren (pp. 59–80). Leuven: ACCO.

  • Siongers, J., Lievens, J., & Beunen, S. (2016). Arts education in Flanders. Gent: Knowledge Centre on Cultural and Media Participation/Department of Sociology, Ghent University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slater, A., & Tiggemann, M. (2010). “Uncool to do sport”: a focus group study of adolescent girls’ reasons for withdrawing from physical activity. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11(6), 619–626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smits, W. (2004). Maatschappelijke participatie van jongeren. Bewegen in de sociale, vrijetijds- en culturele ruimte. Samenvatting en beleidsaanbevelingen. Brussel: Onderzoeksgroep TOR, Vakgroep Sociologie, Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundberg, N. D., Latkin, C. A., Farmer, R. F., & Saoud, J. (1991). Boredom in young adults gender and cultural comparisons. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 22(2), 209–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Todman, M. (2003). Boredom and psychotic disorders: cognitive and motivational issues. Psychiatry, 66(2), 146–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trussell, D. E., & Shaw, S. M. (2012). Organized young people sport and parenting in public and private spaces. Leisure Sciences, 34(5), 377–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Tilburg, W. A. P., & Igou, E. R. (2012). On boredom: lack of challenge and meaning as distinct boredom experiences. Motivation and Emotion, 36(2), 181–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vilhjalmsson, R., & Kristjansdottir, G. (2003). Gender differences in physical activity in older children and adolescents: the central role of organized sport. Social Science & Medicine, 56(2), 363–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vodanovich, S. J. (2003). Psychometric measures of boredom: a review of the literature. The Journal of Psychology, 137(6), 569–595.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vodanovich, S. J., & Watt, J. D. (2016). Self-report measures of boredom: an updated review of the literature. The Journal of Psychology, 150(2), 196–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogel-Walcutt, J. J., Fiorella, L., Carper, T., & Schatz, S. (2012). The definition, assessment, and mitigation of state boredom within educational settings: a comprehensive review. Educational Psychology Review, 24(1), 89–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waizenhofer, R. N., Buchanan, C. M., & Jackson-Newsom, J. (2004). Mothers’ and fathers’ knowledge of adolescents’ daily activities: its sources and its links with adolescent adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology, 18(2), 348–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W., Wu, C., Wu, C., & Huan, T. (2012). Exploring the relationships between free-time management and boredom in leisure. Psychological Reports, 110(2), 416–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wechter-Ashkin, L., & Ashkin, R. (2013). When boredom causes distress: a qualitative study of internalized boredom. Psychology and Education, 50(3–4), 69–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wegner, L., & Flisher, A. J. (2009). Leisure boredom and adolescent risk behavior: a systematic literature review. Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 21(1), 1–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wink, P., & Donahue, K. (1997). The relation between two types of narcissism and boredom. Journal of Research in Personality, 31(1), 136–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yaish, M., & Katz-Gerro, T. (2012). Disentangling ‘cultural capital’: the consequences of cultural and economic resources for taste and participation. European Sociological Review, 28(2), 169–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, X., Woo, S. E., Porter, C., & Brzezinski, M. (2013). Pathways to happiness: from personality to social networks and perceived support. Social Networks, 35(3), 382–393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zondag, H. J. (2013). Narcissism and boredom revisited: an exploration of correlates of overt and covert narcissism among Dutch university students. Psychological Reports: Mental & Physical Health, 112(2), 563–576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M. (1979). Sensation seeking: Beyond the optimal level of arousal. Hillsdale: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Bram Spruyt, Lauren Vandenbossche, Gil Keppens, Jessy Siongers & Filip Van Droogenbroeck

Authors
  1. Bram Spruyt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lauren Vandenbossche
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gil Keppens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jessy Siongers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Filip Van Droogenbroeck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bram Spruyt.

Appendix

Appendix

Table 4 Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations (N = 1598)
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Spruyt, B., Vandenbossche, L., Keppens, G. et al. Social Differences in Leisure Boredom and its Consequences for Life Satisfaction Among Young People. Child Ind Res 11, 225–243 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-016-9430-y

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-016-9430-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation