A Longitudinal Study on the Relationship between Leisure Activities and Subjective Happiness among Adolescents

Abstract

This study longitudinally examined factors influencing the subjective happiness of children and adolescents in Korea, aiming to improve their reported lower happiness compared to other countries. Using data from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey spanning from 2018 to 2021, a mixed model panel regression analysis was conducted on 2,590 first-year middle school participants. The findings indicated that reading time, playing with friends, and participation in suburban clubs, exercise and physical activity (effects within individual cases) positively impacted happiness, while smartphone usage, in-school club activities (effects between individual cases) had a negative effect. Based on these results, recommendations were made to enhance youth happiness, including measures such as ensuring leisure time, promoting social awareness, securing leisure spaces, and incorporating youth perspectives.