The Association Between Recreational Engagement, Relationships with Caregivers and Peers, and Wellbeing

Mental health is becoming a more popular issue in today’s society, particularly around the mental health of youth. This stage of adolescence can be a trying time for individuals as they attempt to develop their identity while seeking a sense of belonging amongst their peers. During this stage of development, individuals are at a heightened risk of mental health disorders. Poor mental health in adolescence can impair the wider health and development of the individual, increasing the risk they engage in unhealthy or unproductive behaviors.
To address how the positive mental health of youth can be supported during adolescence, Nadia’s PhD research focuses on exploring factors that contribute to youth’s engagement in recreational activities and how this engagement, including whether the activity is completed with caregivers and peers, may help improve their wellbeing. This research project utilizes a quantitative approach to examine how relevant variables relating to wellbeing, motivation, and attachment may help determine how recreational engagement can be designed as a therapy model for adolescent youth to help promote resilience and wellbeing while reducing acts of delinquency.