Leisure Boredom and Substance Use Among High School Students in South Africa

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of leisure boredom, and investigate the relationship between leisure boredom, substance use and demographic variables among high school students in Cape Town, South Africa. 621 students from 39 high schools selected through a multistage cluster sampling procedure completed a questionnaire which measured substance use and demographic information, and included the Leisure Boredom Scale (LBS). Using generalized estimating equation models, leisure boredom was modeled on the demographic variables, and substance use indicators on leisure boredom. Although no significant association between leisure boredom and substance use was found, girls reported significantly higher leisure boredom than did boys. Also, Black and Colored students reported significantly higher leisure boredom than White students. This finding may be partly attributed to socio-economic status, as race is still a strong indicator for socio-economic status in South Africa. The findings imply that there is a need for leisure education programs for adolescents which are developmentally and socio-culturally appropriate.