The relationship between leisure activities and the mental health of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Despite the benefits of leisure activities for mental health, very little is known about the link between leisure activities and mental health of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. To fill this knowledge gap, this study sought to examine the relationship between leisure activities and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. A cross-sectional online survey of 30 Chinese provinces was conducted from March 9 to 25. The Zung’s Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale were conducted to measure mental health, while the duration of leisure activities was used to evaluate leisure. Results of logistic regression showed the impact of leisure activities on self-rated mental health depends on types of leisure activities. Reading and calligraphy are beneficial to self-rated mental health while online activities are not. Self-rated mental health is associated with leisure activities. More college students with self-reported anxiety symptoms like to participate in hobbies and outdoor physical activities, while college students who reported depression are reluctant to participate in most leisure activities. Females, postgraduates incline to participate in more types of leisure activities, and students living in urban areas are reluctant to join outdoor physical activities. Besides, these groups are more likely to have self-reported mental illness symptoms.