DO ALL SEDENTARY BEHAVIORS AFFECT LIFE SATISFACTION EQUALLY IN STUDENTS AGED 12-16 YEARS?

Abstract

Previous studies have proven the importance of life satisfaction for teenage development and its relationship with unhealthy behaviors. However, those that examined the association between sedentary behavior and life satisfaction were limited only to screen time. The aim of the study was examine the association of different sedentary behaviors with life satisfaction in 1897 Spanish students aged 12-16 years. Watching TV, using PC, and homework time, as well as life satisfaction were self-reported using validated questionnaires for these ages. We completed linear and logistic binary regression analyses adjusted by age and gender. The results showed that the time of TV watching and PC use were negatively associated to life satisfaction (ß = -.059 and ß = -.087, respectively) while the number of weekly hours devoted to homework was positively associated to life satisfaction (ß = .052). Moreover, the students who devoted greater time to sedentary behaviors in front of a TV or PC had significantly greater risk of low life satisfaction (OR = 1.276 and OR = 1.317, respectively). On the contrary, the teenagers who devoted more time to homework showed significantly lower risk of low life satisfaction (OR = .809). These results on Spanish students help to confirm the negative relationship of TV and PC abuse with life satisfaction in teenagers. Our findings also suggest that positive emotional responses during homework completion increase life satisfaction, while negative emotions during this behavior do not significantly damage it. In conclusion, life satisfaction could be improved with less screen time but not all sedentary behaviors affect it equally.