Time Use and Psychological Wellbeing in Unemployed Youngsters

Looks at the possible association between spare time use and psychological wellbeing in a longitudinal investigation of young people who were studied from 1980 (when they were still at school) to 1988(when they were in the workforce). In those who were unemployed or dissatisfied with their jobs, spare time spent in solitary, aimless activities was negatively associated with psychological wellbeing,whereas spare time spent in purposeful activities, particularly those involving other people, was positively associated with psychological wellbeing. No such associations were observed in those who were employed in jobs they saw as satisfactory, or in any of the groups while they were still at school. Discusses the implications for counselling dissatisfied young workers and the young unemployed.