Promoting Well-Being and Workforce Inclusion Through Healthy Leisure: Evidence from a Community-Based Youth Intervention.

Within the framework of the Barcelona Health in the Neighborhoods strategy, an intervention was implemented in disadvantaged neighborhoods of the city to promote healthy leisure activities, training, and work experiences for adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of this intervention on emotional well-being, self-esteem, social relationships, substance use, and access to the labor market. We conducted a non-experimental pre-post mixed-methods evaluation of the intervention. A questionnaire was administered between 2017 and 2020 to participants at three time points: before the intervention (pre, N = 252), after completing Phase 2 training (post-1, N = 142), and after the first employment experience (post-2, N = 81). In 2021, qualitative interviews were conducted with both participants and program educators who had taken part in the intervention between 2019 and 2021. A total of 27 individuals (participants and educators) took part in the interviews. We collected data on emotional well-being and employment as primary outcomes, and on resilience, substance use, perceived health, self-esteem, social support, and program satisfaction as secondary outcomes. Quantitative data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses, and qualitative information underwent thematic analysis. Our findings showed improved well-being and higher employment rates among participants, as well as greater perseverance and trust. The program also contributed to enhanced practical knowledge, social skills, and interpersonal relationships. In contrast, tobacco and alcohol use increased after the intervention. This study suggests that healthy leisure and labor insertion interventions for young people might facilitate workforce entry and improve young people's well-being and overall quality of life.