"Why are you bored?": An examination of psychological and social control causes of boredom among adolescents

The purpose of this study was to better understand the causes of boredom us ing psychologically based and social control models of boredom. For this st udy, 82 8th grade students completed two questionnaires, a face to face int erview, and participated in a four day activity diary over a two week perio d of time. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to assess the extent to which adolescents' level of boredom differed depending upon their reaso n for participating in the activity and on the individual characteristics t hey brought to the situation. Both psychological and social control variabl es helped to explain boredom. The results are discussed from a developmenta l and practical perspective.