Abstract
The health, well-being and quality of life of the world's 1.2 billion adolescents are global priorities. A focus on their patterns or profiles of time-use and how these relate to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) may help to enhance their well-being and address the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in adulthood. This study sought to establish whether distinct profiles of adolescent 24-h time-use exist and to examine the relationship of any identified profiles to self-reported HRQoL. This cross-sectional study gathered data from a random sample of 731 adolescents (response rate 52%) from 28 schools (response rate 76%) across Cork city and county. A person-centred approach, latent profile analysis, was used to examine adolescent 24-h time-use and relate the identified profiles to HRQoL. Three male profiles emerged, namely productive, high leisure and all-rounder. Two female profiles, higher study/lower leisure and moderate study/higher leisure, were identified. The quantitative and qualitative differences in male and female profiles support the gendered nature of adolescent time-use. No unifying trends emerged in the analysis of probable responses in the HRQoL domains across profiles. Females in the moderate study/higher leisure group were twice as likely to have above-average global HRQoL. Distinct time-use profiles can be identified amongst adolescents, but their relationship with HRQoL is complex. Rich mixed-method research is required to illuminate our understanding of how quantities and qualities of time-use shape lifestyle patterns and how these can enhance the HRQoL of adolescents in the twenty-first century.
Highlights
IntroductionWhile the last 50 years has seen significant improvements in child health, the same gains have not been recorded for adolescents [2]
There are 1.2 billion adolescents in the world [1]
Recent policies call for increased attention to non-communicable causes of disease burden and lifestyle risk factors in adolescence [4], not least because important determinants of health and well-being are imbedded in young people's daily behavior, as reflected in their time-use [5, 6]
Summary
While the last 50 years has seen significant improvements in child health, the same gains have not been recorded for adolescents [2]. Their health and well-being is a global priority [1, 3]. Recent policies call for increased attention to non-communicable causes of disease burden and lifestyle risk factors in adolescence [4], not least because important determinants of health and well-being are imbedded in young people's daily behavior, as reflected in their time-use [5, 6]. Time-use studies make an ideal contribution to the evaluation of well-being and quality of life [10,11,12,13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
