Exploring Leisure Time Activities of University Students in Qatar and Their Relationship With Psychological Health and Well-being

Leisure time activities are crucial for individuals' psychological health and well-being. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to explore the types of university students’ leisure time and physical activities (PA) and their relationship with psychological health in Qatar. This study employed an online survey that collected anthropometric and socio-economic information and validated questionnaires to measure psychological distress (i.e., Kessler scale), well-being (i.e., World Health Organization Well-Being Index), PA levels (i.e., International PA Questionnaire, both short-form and recreational part of the long-form), and types of leisure activities (i.e., adapted Leisure Time Activities Questionnaire). Forty-four students (from which 32 were females) responded to the survey. Mann-Whitney tests revealed significantly higher well-being scores for males and undergraduates as compared to females and postgraduates, respectively (ps < 0.05). Male participants were more physically active (83.30%) as compared to females (40.60%) and reported significantly higher (p = 0.01) weekly engagement in vigorous PA (medians: 127.50 vs 0 minutes/week).

Undergraduate students reported a significantly higher weekly engagement in several measures of overall and leisure-specific PA (ps < 0.05). The regression model with PA predicts well-being (p = 0.01), primarily due to vigorous PA (p = 0.04). Additionally, leisure activities like creative activities (p = 0.03) and socializing (p = 0.02) showed correlation with well-being. The observed PA differences among genders and university students in Qatar underscore the need for tailored interventions to promote PA, aligning with global trends. While specific leisure activities correlate with psychological well-being, the lack of associations with psychological distress suggests further exploration is needed. Promoting a balanced leisure lifestyle, including creative pursuits, social interactions, and regular PA, especially vigorous exercise, is crucial for overall well-being among university students, with universities playing a crucial role by fostering diverse activities.