The Importance of Leisure Activities for Suicidality in Adolescents and Young Adults

Leisure time is important for the development of adolescents. It influences adolescents' psychological well-being and psychosocial development. It may also have a protective effect on suicidality. This study investigates how adolescents' leisure time is related to suicidality, distinguishing between general aspects and various specific leisure time activities. Data from adolescents in counseling (n = 25) and the general population (n = 57) were analyzed. Adolescents who spend most of their leisure time alone are more suicidal than adolescents who spend their leisure time with others. General aspects of leisure activities were related to suicidality; among specific activities, only sports activities were found to be significant. The strongest association with suicidality was shared activities with others. Based on these results, it can be shown that leisure time activities could be effective as a preventive measure. In particular, social activities in leisure time should be encouraged.