THE ASSOCIATION OF CHILDHOOD PLAY AND ADOLESCENT-PARENT INTERACTIONS WITH GERMAN ADOLESCENT LEISURE PARTICIPATION

Macrosystem (nation and gender) and microsystem childhood play and ado lescent-parent interactions) correlates of adolescent leisure activiti es (risky, social-romantic, and creative-introspective) were investiga ted. The respondents included adolescents, ages 15 through 18 years, f rom the former East Germany (n = 221) and West Germany (n = 443). The leisure activities were each significantly related to both macro- and microsystem measures. Higher levels of risky leisure were related to W est Germany residency, higher levels of childhood competitive play and creative activities, and lower levels of monitoring. Higher participa tion in social-romantic leisure was related to being female and report ing higher levels of childhood competitive play. Higher levels of crea tive- introspective leisure were associated with being female, and rep orting lower levels of childhood competitive play, higher childhood pa rticipation in cultural education and creative activities, and higher levels of shared interests with parents. Some topics for further resea rch in the area of adolescent leisure are provided.