Leisure and Its Impact on Well Being in School Children

Abstract

Introduction "All work and no play make jack a dull boy" old saying poses importance to leisure among children.
Leisure is defined as a “non-obligatory activity that is intrinsically
motivated and engaged in during discretionary time, that
is, time not committed to obligatory occupations such as work,
self-care, or sleep” (Parham & Fazio, 1997).
Leisure activities should be novel and should provide arousing
experience. Recent studies indicated a growing interest in identifying
specific types of leisure activities that contribute to well
-being. The basic characteristics of leisure are relaxation, enjoyment,
freedom of choice, intrinsic motivation, commitment,
control and challenge. Engagement in leisure can promote
physical and psychological wellbeing for persons of all ages
(Susan Knox, 1998). Raphel (1996) stated that a lack of satisfying
leisure activities may be associated with behavior problems
such as delinquency. Some common leisure activities in school
children were reading, television watching, use of computers,
spectator activities, arts and crafts, game and physical activities
and some other hobbies as per their interest. Childhood leisure
facilitates competence in adulthood (Barnett, 1990). In adulthood,
leisure provides a source of satisfaction and allows for
respite from work (Vandenberg & Kielhofner, 1982). Thus leisure
has a major impact throughout one’s life.
Types of Leisure
Leisure can be divided in to Active and passive. Active leisure
involves exertion of physical and mental energy (e.g. physical
activity) while passive does not exert any significant physical or
mental energy (e.g. watching television).
Impact of Passive Leisure on Well-being
Passive leisure activities such as watching television, playing
video games etc. leads to negative impacts like social isolation,
sense of boredom and reduced physical activity. So it is not only
necessary to include interested leisure activities but it’s also
more important to consider and encourage an active leisure activities.
In a study done by Koch et al., 2003, Overweight/obesity
is associated with a poorer body gross motor development and
endurance performance. An active lifestyle is positively correlated
with a better gross motor development in first-grade children.
Therefore, to prevent the negative consequences of physical inactivity
and overweight/obesity early intervention to support exercise
and movement is recommended. This exercise can be done
through interesting leisure activities like active sports and games.
Importance of Active Leisure
In a study by Mark D. Holder, the relation between leisure and
well-being, including happiness and self-concept was examined
in school children of 8-12 years of age Active leisure (e.g. physical
activity) was positively correlated with well-being. Passive
leisure (e.g. television and video games) was negatively correlated
with well-being. Aspects of active leisure (e.g. the importance
of sport to the child and how sports made the child feel)
as judged by both parents and children accounted for unique
variance in children’s wellbeing.
Obstacles for Participation in Leisure
Leisure in school children is influenced by time availability,
freedom of stress, lack of available resources or materials, due
to over load of student ratio, provision of novelty and opportunities
to make choices etc. self-consciousness, too much challenge,
limited choices and excessive competition are inhibitory
to leisure interest and their participation. Rahim and Sakhiyyah
(2004) investigated the relationship between leisure constraint
and students’ participation in recreational sport activities in
selected fully residential schools in Johor, India. Results reveled
that an increase in the intensity of constraint experienced
would likely be followed by a decrease in students’ participation
and concluded that leisure constraint and students’ participation
were interconnected.
Implications
“A suitable balance among individuals’ daily activities, selfmaintenance,
work, leisure time activities, rest and sleep is
important for remaining in good mental health”(Adolph Meyer,
1922). Activity configuration of a typical day of a student includes
a balance among 8 hours of work/ school tasks, 8 hours
of sleep and 8 hours of leisure or play. Equal important must be
given to all 3 sorts of activities in order to maintain a balanced
life. In most of the residential school, activity configuration is
broken as more importance is given to academics and least
bothered about leisure and play tasks.
It is important to identify interested leisure tasks in residential
school children through Interest or Leisure check list. Thus facilitating
active, automatic participation and to encourage active
leisure activities in residential school children which has a positive
effect on physical and mental wellbeing, enhances student’s
participation and contributes to academic achievement. Hence
it is essential to promote active leisure in residential schools.
Conclusion
“Empty mind is Devils Workshop” according to an old saying,
lack of leisure and inappropriate time use may lead to certain
issues such as drug abuse, addicted habits, psychosocial problems
which may influence their physical and mental well-being
and thereby affecting academic achievements. School systems
can encourage group games, sports, arts and crafts, and aerobics
or can be a free play which develops unity and social integration
among students. Active leisure also stimulates physical
and cognitive process which in turn leads to good physical and
mental wellbeing. It can also enhance self-esteem and confidence
thereby the child can achieve a sense of self satisfaction.

Full text

114 IJSR - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Volume : 1 | Issue : 5 | Oct 2012 • ISSN No 2277 - 8179 Research Paper
Medical Science
KEYWORDS : Leisure, Well Being,
Residential School Children
Leisure and Its Impact on Well Being in School
Children
V. Guruprasad
Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Manipal College of
Allied Health, Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal
KR. Banumathe
Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Manipal College of
Allied Health, Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal
Dr. E. Sinu
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
University, Manipal
Introduction
“All work and no play make jack a dull boy” old saying poses
importance to leisure among children.
    -
cally motivated and engaged in during discretionary time, that
is, time not committed to obligatory occupations such as work,
self-care, or sleep” (Parham & Fazio, 1997).
Leisure activities should be novel and should provide arousing
experience. Recent studies indicated a growing interest in iden-

-being. The basic characteristics of leisure are relaxation, en-
joyment, freedom of choice, intrinsic motivation, commitment,
control and challenge. Engagement in leisure can promote
physical and psychological wellbeing for persons of all ages
(Susan Knox, 1998). Raphel (1996) stated that a lack of satisfy-
ing leisure activities may be associated with behavior problems
such as delinquency. Some common leisure activities in school
children were reading, television watching, use of computers,
spectator activities, arts and crafts, game and physical activities
and some other hobbies as per their interest. Childhood leisure
facilitates competence in adulthood (Barnett, 1990). In adult-
hood, leisure provides a source of satisfaction and allows for
respite from work (Vandenberg & Kielhofner, 1982). Thus lei-
sure has a major impact throughout one’s life.
Types of Leisure
Leisure can be divided in to Active and passive. Active leisure
involves exertion of physical and mental energy (e.g. physical

mental energy (e.g. watching television).
Impact of Passive Leisure on Well-being
Passive leisure activities such as watching television, playing
video games etc. leads to negative impacts like social isolation,
sense of boredom and reduced physical activity. So it is not only
necessary to include interested leisure activities but it’s also
more important to consider and encourage an active leisure ac-
tivities.
In a study done by Koch et al., 2003, Overweight/obesity
is associated with a poorer body gross motor development and
endurance performance. An active lifestyle is positively correlat-

Therefore, to prevent the negative consequences of physical inac-
tivity and overweight/obesity early intervention to support exer-
cise and movement is recommended. This exercise can be done
through interesting leisure activities like active sports and games.
Importance of Active Leisure
In a study by Mark D. Holder, the relation between leisure and
well-being, including happiness and self-concept was examined
in school children of 8-12 years of age Active leisure (e.g. physi-
cal activity) was positively correlated with well-being. Passive
leisure (e.g. television and video games) was negatively corre-
lated with well-being. Aspects of active leisure (e.g. the impor-
tance of sport to the child and how sports made the child feel)
as judged by both parents and children accounted for unique
variance in children’s wellbeing.
Obstacles for Participation in Leisure
        
freedom of stress, lack of available resources or materials, due
to over load of student ratio, provision of novelty and opportu-
nities to make choices etc. self-consciousness, too much chal-
lenge, limited choices and excessive competition are inhibitory
to leisure interest and their participation. Rahim and Sakhiyyah
(2004) investigated the relationship between leisure constraint
and students’ participation in recreational sport activities in
selected fully residential schools in Johor, India. Results rev-
eled that an increase in the intensity of constraint experienced
would likely be followed by a decrease in students’ participation
and concluded that leisure constraint and students’ participa-
tion were interconnected.
Implications
“A suitable balance among individuals’ daily activities, self-
maintenance, work, leisure time activities, rest and sleep is
important for remaining in good mental health”(Adolph Meyer,
         -
cludes a balance among 8 hours of work/ school tasks, 8 hours
of sleep and 8 hours of leisure or play. Equal important must be
given to all 3 sorts of activities in order to maintain a balanced
        
broken as more importance is given to academics and least
bothered about leisure and play tasks.
It is important to identify interested leisure tasks in residential
school children through Interest or Leisure check list. Thus fa-
cilitating active, automatic participation and to encourage active
leisure activities in residential school children which has a posi-
tive effect on physical and mental wellbeing, enhances student’s
participation and contributes to academic achievement. Hence
it is essential to promote active leisure in residential schools.
Conclusion
“Empty mind is Devils Workshop” according to an old saying,
lack of leisure and inappropriate time use may lead to certain
issues such as drug abuse, addicted habits, psychosocial prob-

and thereby affecting academic achievements. School systems
can encourage group games, sports, arts and crafts, and aero-
bics or can be a free play which develops unity and social inte-
gration among students. Active leisure also stimulates physical
and cognitive process which in turn leads to good physical and
        -
dence thereby the child can achieve a sense of self satisfaction.
REFERENCE
Rahim, A and Sakhiyyah (2004). Relationship Between Leisure Constraints and Residential School Students’ Participation
in Recreational Sport Activities. University Putra Malaysia. | Holder et al., (2009). The Contribution of Active and Passive
Leisure to Children's Well-being. J Health Psychol April 2009 vol. 14 no. 3 378-386. doi: 10.1177/1359105308101676. | Farnworth, L. (2000). Time use
and Leisure Occupations of Young Offenders. Am. J of Occupational Therapy, 54,315-325.