Profiles of adolescent leisure motivation and substance use in the HealthWise South Africa research trial

Abstract

Engaging in intrinsically motivated behaviors, both within and outside
of the leisure context, is associated with well-being. However,
individuals can be driven by multiple types of motivation simultaneously,
and the impact of constellations of leisure motivation is relatively
unknown. The current study uses South African adolescents in
the HealthWise South Africa efficacy trial (N¼2,204; Mage¼14.0) to
identify profiles of leisure motivation, examine the association
between profiles and substance use, and evaluate the impact of
HealthWise on changes in motivation profiles over time. Results indicate
three distinct profiles: high consistent motivation, low consistent
motivation, and high intrinsic motivation. Members of the high
intrinsic profile had the lowest odds of substance use. Profiles were
fairly stable across all time points except for females in a high-training
intervention school. Results illustrate the importance of identifying
and understanding typologies of leisure motivation and health
across time, which can be used to promote positive development in
adolescents.