The Association of Childhood Play and Adolescent-Parent Interactions with German Adolescent Leisure Participation

Abstract

Macrosystem (nation and gender) and microsystem (childhood play and adolescentparent interactions) correlates of adolescent leisure activities (risky, social-romantic, and creative-introspective) were investigated. The respondents included adolescents, ages 15 through 18 years, from the former East Germany (n = 221) and West Germany (n = 443). The leisure activities were each significantly related to both macro and microsystem measures. Higher levels of risky leisure were related to West Germany residency, higher levels of childhood competitive play and creative activities, and lower levels of monitoring. Higherparticipation in social-romantic leisure was related to being female and reporting higher levels of childhood competitive play. Higher levels of creative-introspective leisure were associated with being female, and reporting lower levels of childhood competitive play, higher childhood participation in cultural education and creative activities, and higher levels of shared interests with parents. Some topics forfurther research in the area of adolescent leisure are provided.