“Why are You Bored?”: An Examination of Psychological and Social Control Causes of Boredom Among Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to better understand the causes of boredom using psychologically based and social control models of boredom. For this study, 82 8th grade students completed two questionnaires, a face to face interview, and participated in a four day activity diary over a two week period of time. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to assess the extern to which adolescents' level of boredom differed depending upon their reason for participating in the activity and on the individual characteristics they brought to the situation. Both psychological and social control variables helped to explain boredom. The results are discussed from a developmental and practical perspective.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• boredom
• leisure
• social control
• recreation
• adolescent development