EFFECTS OF BOREDOM ON SELF-REPORTED HEALTH

Two analyses were conducted to determine whether persons scoring in the upper and lower quartiles on the Leisure Boredom Scale would differ in their self-reports of mental and physical health. It was hypothesized that higher boredom scores would result in more negative self-reports of health. Data from two samples of college undergraduates were reported (total n = 779). Multivariate F tests were significant, supporting the hypothesis. After correcting for study-wise type I error inflation, high and low boredom groups differed on four of the six health indicators in Study One, and three of the indicators in Study Two. Results were discussed in the context of other literature concerning the relationship between negative health behaviors and leisure boredom.