Association of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological and physical well-being.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether engaging in multiple enjoyable activities was associated with better psychological and physiological functioning. Few studies have examined the health benefits of the enjoyable activities that individuals participate in voluntarily in their free time.


METHODS
Participants from four different studies (n = 1399 total, 74% female, age = 19-89 years) completed a self-report measure (Pittsburgh Enjoyable Activities Test (PEAT)) assessing their participation in ten different types of leisure activities as well as measures assessing positive and negative psychosocial states. Resting blood pressure, cortisol (over 2 days), body mass index, waist circumference, and perceived physiological functioning were assessed.


RESULTS
Higher PEAT scores were associated with lower blood pressure, total cortisol, waist circumference, and body mass index, and perceptions of better physical function. These associations withstood controlling for demographic measures. The PEAT was correlated with higher levels of positive psychosocial states and lower levels of depression and negative affect.


CONCLUSIONS
Enjoyable leisure activities, taken in the aggregate, are associated with psychosocial and physical measures relevant for health and well-being. Future studies should determine the extent that these behaviors in the aggregate are useful predictors of disease and other health outcomes.
Pressman
Sarah D
SD
Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA.
Matthews
Karen A
KA
Cohen
Sheldon
S
Martire
Lynn M
LM
Scheier
Michael
M
Baum
Andrew
A
Schulz
Richard
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006854:Hydrocortisone