Abstract
The goal of the current study was to examine the associations between early adolescents' popularity in the peer group and their leisure activity preferences. First, the pattern of normative leisure activity preferences was assessed in a sample of early adolescent 13-year-olds in The Netherlands (n = 860). Second, gender differences in these normative patterns were examined. Third, the associations between patterns of leisure activity preferences and popularity in the peer group was examined, also taking gender into account. Results indicated that youth in general preferred activities with a social character such as dating and going to the movies, and tended to dislike solitary activities such as collecting stamps. Gender differences were large; girls preferred to shop, and boys preferred cars and computers. Popular adolescents, both boys and girls, preferred to engage in social activities in groups. Popular boys disliked computer activities, whereas popular girls disliked solitary cultural activities. These results were discussed in light of constraint and facilitator theories of leisure activity preferences.
