Leisure time patterns of children with and without disabilities: a cross-sectional latent class analysis

TL;DR

Children with disabilities tend to spend more leisure time on screens and social activities, and less on organized physical activities compared to children without disabilities.

Contribution

The study identifies distinct leisure-time profiles and their association with disability status using latent class analysis.

Findings

Five leisure-time profiles were identified, including Home-oriented, Social-oriented, Aesthetic-oriented, Physically-oriented, and Screen-oriented.

Children with disabilities were more likely to belong to Screen-oriented and Social-oriented profiles compared to children without disabilities.

CWD were less likely to engage in organized and physically demanding leisure activities.

Abstract

Leisure participation supports children's health, social inclusion, and well-being, yet children with disabilities (CWD) often face barriers to participate in organised and physically demanding activities. This study examined differences in leisure-time patterns between children with and without disabilities.

Cross-sectional data from 6,049 Norwegian children aged 10–13 years were analysed. Leisure time was assessed across six domains using twenty-two indicators. Latent Class Analysis identified leisure-time profiles, and multinomial logistic regression examined associations between disability status and profile membership, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

Five leisure profiles emerged: Home-oriented (21%), Social-oriented (14%), Aesthetic-oriented (20%), Physically-oriented (31%), and Screen-oriented (14%). In the adjusted model, and when comparing to children without disability and having the physically-oriented as the reference group, CWD were more likely to belong to the Screen- (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.80–3.21) and Social-oriented (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.52–2.74) profiles.

CWD were less likely to be in profiles characterised by organised and physical leisure activities and more likely to be in profiles dominated by screen-based and informal activities, indicating persistent barriers to inclusive leisure-time participation. These findings underscore the importance of developing strategies that promote accessible, organised, and physical activity-based leisure opportunities, such as sports, while also ensuring sustained access to inclusive informal and digital spaces, such as neighbourhood facilities and e-sports. These efforts would support the social lives and well-being of CWD.

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