10-year-olds’ free time activities signal interests/attitudes at age 12
Ten-year-olds’ free time activities — as well as whom they spend their free time with — are linked to gender development, academic interests, school grades and self esteem at age 12, a Penn State study shows.

In addition, the study suggests that time spent in same-sex activities may advantage boys but disadvantage girls during middle school. Dr. Susan McHale, professor of human development and family studies and leader of the study, says, “The amount of time girls spent with other females predicted declines in qualities such as sensitivity and kindness as well as declines in self esteem but time with males, particularly male peers, predicted increases in such qualities among boys.”

Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 15 Sep 2004
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.