How do adolescents engage with music in spare time? Leisure patterns and their relation with socio-demographic characteristics, well-being, and risk behaviors

This research focuses on four types of adolescents’ leisure pursuits related to music: listening to music; following music topics in the media; and extracurricular activities and hobbies related to music. Our main goal was not only to identify behavioral patterns representing adolescents’ engagement with music in leisure time but also to establish their relationship with relevant socio-demographic variables and indicators of well-being and risk behaviors. The sample comprised 1,358 secondary school students (aged 15 and 17). Five behavioral patterns were identified by principal component analysis. Three represent preferences for listening to music and are labeled rebellious, sophisticated, and energetic music preferences, whereas the fourth, following music, represents adolescents’ interest in music-related topics via media and preferences for pop and, to a lesser extent, folk music. The fifth factor, music-making, describes an active commitment to music as an extracurricular activity or hobby. The regression analysis was used to relate extracted leisure patterns not only with adolescents’ gender, age, and attendance at specific schools but also with the parameters of well-being and risk behaviors. The results are discussed in light of previous research in music psychology, leisure studies, and positive psychology. Major implications are related to music as a protective factor in a sensitive period of adolescence and adults’ responsibility not only to cherish but also to cultivate youth’s interest in it.