Adolescent and adult leisure patterns: A 37‐year follow‐up study

Abstract

The relationship between adolescent and adult leisure activities was assessed by utilizing longitudinal data from 1298 subjects studied during their high school years and again when they were in their early fifties. For the sample members, the greater the involvement in a specific type of activity during adolescence, the more frequent the participation in the same type of activity at midlife. This was true in regard to participation in formal organizations; socializing; intellectual, creative, and artistic activities; and (for women) sports activities. The positive relationship between adolescent and adult leisure choices was stronger for women than for men in the areas of creative/artistic and sports activities.

Keywords:

• Leisure socialization
• continuity across the life span
• adolescent leisure
• adult leisure patterns
• gender differences
• longitudinal analysis
• panel study