Between Study and Work - Uses of Free Time by High School Adolescents: a Characterization Study

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize how high school adolescents use their free time and to examine the implications for their psychological and social development. This quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research was based on data from the Brazilian Youth Questionnaire applied to 1,626 students from 13 public schools in a municipality in the state of Paraná. The findings indicated a predominance of passive leisure activities, especially internet use (65.8%) and resting (61.1%), while cultural and artistic practices, such as reading (23.9%) and crafts (16.5%), were less frequent. It was also found that 36.3% of the participants combine school and work, reducing opportunities for engaging in formative or social activities. From a behavioral analytic perspective, the most common activities were associated with immediate and easily accessible reinforcers, potentially limiting the development of social, creative, and cultural repertoires. The study concludes that, although digital leisure provides immediate satisfaction and plays a central role in adolescents’ routines, it is essential to expand educational initiatives that encourage active participation, social interaction, and cultural expression, contributing to healthier and more balanced developmental trajectories.