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© 2020. This work is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background: Previous research has suggested that leisure activity may benefit mental health and protect against substance use among adolescents, but more research is needed to asses associations with a wide range of outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess associations between multiple leisure activities and 1) mental health outcomes and 2) substance use outcomes in a sample of Danish adolescents. Methods: Using data from the Danish part of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) collected in 2019, nation-wide cross-sectional data from 2,488 participants aged 15 or 16 in Denmark were analyzed to assess associations between number of leisure activities and outcomes pertaining to mental health and substance use. Results: Our results show that engaging in multiple activities at least once a week - as compared to one single activity – is associated with increased odds for high mental well-being, and reduced odds for mental health problems. Engaging in multiple activities is also associated with reduced odds for overall substance use and for using substances as a coping method. Among those using substances, engaging in multiple activities is associated with reduced odds of above average substance use. Conclusion: Increasing opportunities for adolescents to engage in leisure activities is suggested to be useful in preventing excessive substance use and promoting mental health. Promoting and increasing access to leisure activities among adolescents could be a promising avenue for policy and practice.

Details

Title
Associations Between Multiple Leisure Activities, Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents in Denmark: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study
Author
Santini, Ziggi Ivan; Meilstrup, Charlotte; Hinrichsen, Carsten; Nielsen, Line; Koyanagi, Ai; Koushede, Vibeke; Ekholm, Ola; Madsen, Katrine Rich
Section
Original Research ARTICLE
Publication year
2020
Publication date
Dec 21, 2020
Publisher
Frontiers Research Foundation
e-ISSN
1662-5153
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2471579650
Copyright
© 2020. This work is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.