Leisure Time, Physical Activity, and Psychological Well-Being among Adolescents during COVID-19

Mohamed Amin, Fatma; A. Lawend, Josephin; Mustafa Abu Samra, Omayma; Nabeel Mohammad Abd-Elmageed, Fawzia

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2022.260322

Leisure Time, Physical Activity, and Psychological Well-Being among Adolescents during COVID-19

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University

² Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University

³ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig university

10.21608/ejhc.2022.260322

Abstract

Background: The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health
emergency and universal hazard. Governments have ordered all people to spend all their time at
home and imposed school closures as an emergency measure. In such situations, physical and
mental health problems are significant concerns. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate leisure time,
physical activity, and psychological well-being among adolescents during COVID-19. Study
design: A cross-sectional research design. Setting: The study was conducted in Dakahalia
Governorate, Egypt. Sample: The study involved a convenience sample of 1200 adolescents
through a validated self-administered online questionnaire. Tools: It included four parts; Part I:
Characteristics of studied adolescents, Part II: leisure time questionnaire, Part III: Physical activity
questionnaire, and Part IV: Psychological well-being scale. Results: 55.0% of the studied
adolescents reported that relaxing activities were the type of activity that was practiced more
habitually during leisure time. 59.80% of the studied adolescents had low physical activity. 64.9%
of the studied adolescents had moderate psychological well-being. There was a statistically
significant positive correlation between practicing the practical sport in leisure time and satisfaction
with leisure time, physical activity, and psychological well-being among adolescents during
COVID-19. Conclusion: The results from this study concluded that the studied adolescents do low
physical activity without any satisfaction about leisure time which is reflected in their psychological
well-being during COVID-19. Recommendations: Future research should replicate these analyses
in a non-pandemic situation. It must focus on testing the longitudinal associations reported here in
non-pandemic circumstances.

Keywords