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

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.