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Comparative Study
. 2009 Sep;71(7):725-32.
doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181ad7978. Epub 2009 Jul 10.

Association of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological and physical well-being

Sarah D Pressman  1 , Karen A Matthews, Sheldon Cohen, Lynn M Martire, Michael Scheier, Andrew Baum, Richard Schulz
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Association of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological and physical well-being

Sarah D Pressman et al. Psychosom Med. 2009 Sep.

Abstract

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.

Method: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Buffering effects of enjoyable leisure activities on stressful life events. Variables are assessed continuously and are depicted as a dichotomous split for figure purposes only.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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