Citation

Yarnal C, Qian X, Hustad J, Sims D. J. Coll. Character 2013; 14(2): ePub.

Affiliation

Park and Tourism Management at Penn State. She specializes in college student use of free time and health. cmy122@psu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Center for the Study of Values in College Student Development, Florida State University)

DOI

10.1515/jcc-2013-0022

PMID

24198896

Abstract

College student excessive alcohol use is a pressing public health concern, and many of the negative events associated with heavy drinking occur during leisure or free time. Positive use of leisure can lead to coping skills, stress reduction, and healthy development. Negative use of leisure, including heavy alcohol use, is associated with physical inactivity, stress, and short and long-term health concerns. We contend that using the classroom context to help college students understand why it is beneficial to engage in positive leisure pursuits and how that engagement will promote personal growth is of critical importance to healthy development.

Language: en