A Person-centred Analysis of the Time-use, Daily Activities and Health-related Quality of Life of Irish School-going Late Adolescents

Purpose: The health, well-being and quality of life of the world’s 1.2 billion adolescents are global priorities. A focus on their patterns or profiles of time-use and how these relate to health-related quality of life... [ view full abstract ]

Purpose: The health, well-being and quality of life of the world’s 1.2 billion adolescents are global priorities. A focus on their patterns or profiles of time-use and how these relate to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) may help to enhance their well-being and address the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in adulthood. This study sought to establish whether distinct profiles of adolescent 24-hour time-use exist and to examine the relationship of any identified profiles to self-reported HRQoL. Method: This cross-sectional study gathered data from a random sample of 731 adolescents (response rate 52%) from 28 schools (response rate 76%) across Cork city and county. A person-centred approach, latent profile analysis (LPA), was used to examine adolescent 24-hour time-use and relate the identified profiles to HRQoL. Results: Three male profiles emerged, namely productive, high leisure and all-rounder. Two female profiles, higher study/lower leisure and moderate study/higher leisure, were identified. The quantitative and qualitative differences in male and female profiles support the gendered nature of adolescent time-use. No unifying trends emerged in the analysis of probable responses in the HRQoL domains across profiles. Females in the moderate study/higher leisure group were twice as likely to have above average global HRQoL. Conclusion: Distinct time-use profiles can be identified among adolescents but their relationship with HRQoL is complex. Rich mixed-method research is required to illuminate our understanding of how quantities and qualities of time-use shape lifestyle patterns and how these can enhance the HRQoL of adolescents in the 21st century.