College-attending emerging adults’ free time perception profiles: Relationships with well-being and identity development
Abstract
Leisure is an important developmental context during emerging adulthood because of its inherent freedom, opportunity for challenge, and potential for identity exploration. The nature of leisure is often linked with different developmental pathways surrounding well-being and identity. This quantitative study collected free time perceptions, well-being, and identity measures from college-attending emerging adults (n = 565). Using a clustering approach, participants were grouped based on four free time perceptions measures (awareness, boredom, challenge, distress) and then compared for differences in self-esteem, depression, and identity commitment and exploration. Groupings were named based on unique free time profiles, including mastering, restoring, stagnating, and struggling during free time. Each group had significantly different perceptions of free time awareness and boredom, and groups differed in well-being and identity scores, although not exclusively. Results show the importance of addressing free time perceptions, particularly cognitive (awareness) and affective (boredom) attitudes and inform leisure-based programming and marketing on college campuses.
Department
Recreation Management and Policy
Publication Date
11-30-2021
Journal Title
Journal of Leisure Research
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Hartman, C. L., Anderson, D. M., & Barcelona, R. J. (2022). College-attending emerging adults’ free time perception profiles: Relationships with well-being and identity development. Journal of Leisure Research, 53(4), 512–531. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2021.1999780