An Examination of Multidimensional Time Perspective and Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract

We examined the associations between time perspective and mental health outcomes (N = 337; Mage = 22.74, SDage = 5.59; 76% female). Time perspective included multiple dimensions (feelings, frequency, orientation, and relation) and time periods (past, present, and future). Mental health outcomes included depressive symptoms, anxiety, and rumination. To demonstrate the reliability of the time perspective scales, test–retest analyses were completed. Multivariate analyses showed that (a) positive feelings about time were associated with lower anxiety; (b) negative feelings about time were associated with greater anxiety; and (c) more frequent thoughts about the past were associated with greater depressive symptoms and anxiety. Associations remained when controlling for anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. Moreover, (a) positive feelings about time were associated with lower rumination; (b) negative feelings about time were associated with greater rumination; and (c) more frequent thoughts about the past were associated with greater rumination. Time perspective scales yielded scores that were moderate to high in test–retest reliability. Findings demonstrate the value of examining separate time perspective dimensions and time periods. Results highlight the role of time perspective in mental health interventions for adults.

Time Beyond Personality: Associations Between Time Perspective and Academic Outcomes Among Adolescents

“…Six different scores were created per subscale by averaging non-missing values, with higher scores indicating more positive or negative feelings about the temporal period. Past research has provided evidence of reliability and validity of the TAS scores (McKay et al, 2016;Mello et al, 2017;Moon et al, 2023). Internal consistency estimates indicated that the items on the TAS yielded reliable scores.…”

“…Participants were asked to indicate how often they thought about the past (past frequency), the present (present frequency), and the future (future frequency). Prior research has provided evidence of reliability and validity of time frequency scores (Mello et al, 2017;Moon et al, 2023). Time Relation.…”

“…The Time Relation Scale (TRS; 4) linear (the past is related to the present, and the present is related to the future), and ( 5) interrelated (all of the time periods are related to one another). Past research has provided evidence of reliability and validity of the TRS scores (Mello et al, 2017;Moon et al, 2023). Time Orientation.…”

“…Figures represented the following time orientation types: (1) past oriented, ( 2) present oriented, (3) future oriented, (4) past-future oriented, (5) past-present oriented, (6) present-future oriented, and ( 7) balanced (all periods are equal). Prior research has provided evidence of reliability and validity of the TOS scores (Mello et al, 2017;Moon et al, 2023).…”