The modern understanding of youth in terms of ‘adolescence’ is a compar-
atively recent phenomenon, emerging only at the beginning of the 20th
century. In most societies, perceptions of ‘adolescence’ are evolving and
not all societies view young people in the same way, some not even seeing
the need to define anybody as ‘youth’ or ‘adolescent’. Adolescence, as a
psychosocial process, is usually viewed as being triggered by the apparent
and measurable biological onset of puberty, leading to highly variable
social transitions that mark its completion.
The modern understanding of youth in terms of ‘adolescence’ is a compar-
atively recent phenomenon, emerging only at the beginning of the 20th
century. In most societies, perceptions of ‘adolescence’ are evolving and
not all societies view young people in the same way, some not even seeing
the need to define anybody as ‘youth’ or ‘adolescent’. Adolescence, as a
psychosocial process, is usually viewed as being triggered by the apparent
and measurable biological onset of puberty, leading to highly variable
social transitions that mark its completion.
Participation in leisure activities is related to physical health and is a predictor of well-being. Leisure is typically defined as an enjoyable activity performed in one’s free time; leisure activities may include physical activities like walking, cognitive activities like crossword puzzles, creative activities such as painting, or passive activities such as watching television. It may also include social activities such as spending time with friends. Many studies have demonstrated the negative impact that physical illness has on leisure activities, but there is a growing interest in characterizing the benefits of continued leisure participation into older age. Montross and colleagues (2006) found that the number of close friends, as well as frequency of reading, listening to the radio, and visiting family, was associated with self-ratings of successful aging, thus highlighting the relationship between leisure activities and subjective well-being.
Montross, L. P., Depp, C., Daly, J., Reichstadt, J., Golshan, S., Moore, D., ... & Jeste, D. V. (2006). Correlates of self-rated successful aging among community-dwelling older adults. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14(1), 43-51.
