TitleAssociation of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological and physical well-being.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsPressman, SD, Matthews, KA, Cohen, S, Martire, LM, Scheier, M, Baum, A, Schulz, R
JournalPsychosom Med
Volume71
Issue7
Pagination725-32
Date Published2009 Sep
ISSN1534-7796
KeywordsActivities of Daily Living, Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Blood Pressure, Female, Health Behavior, Health Status, Health Surveys, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Leisure Activities, Male, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Physical Fitness, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires
Abstract

<p><b>OBJECTIVE: </b>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.</p><p><b>METHOD: </b>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.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>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.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>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.</p>

DOI10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181ad7978
Alternate JournalPsychosom Med
PubMed ID19592515
PubMed Central IDPMC2863117
Grant ListHL07650 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R24 HL076852 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HL076852 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R24 HL076858-05 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R24 HL076852-05 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R24 HL076858 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HL076858 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States