Time Perspective and Age: A Review of Age Associated Differences

Abstract

We investigate the relationship between age and the five dimensions of time perspective measured by the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) (past negative, past positive, present hedonistic, present fatalistic, and future). Time perspective is related to well-being, decision-making, level of development, and many other psychological issues. Hence, the existence of a systematic relationship between time perspective and age should be considered in all studies for which time is a relevant variable. However, no specific research about this has been conducted. We collected 407 papers that referenced the ZTPI between 2001 and 2015. From those, 72 studies met our inclusion criteria. They included 29,815 participants from 19 countries whose age spans most phases of adulthood (from 13.5 to 75.5 years, mean 28.7). We analyzed these studies adapting meta-analytical techniques. We found that present hedonistic and past negative dimensions are negatively related to aging with partial eta squared effect sizes of roughly 0.15. Our results have implications for the design of studies related to time as our findings highlight the importance of taking into account the differences associated with age.

A Time for Being Thankful: Balanced Time Perspective and Gratitude

“…Other scholars observe that individuals give more attention to the present as they grow older (Zhang & Ho, 2015). Still other research results support the hypothesis suggesting that people in general focus more on the past (Laureiro-Martinez, Trujillo, & Unda, 2017). Similar discrepancies are found in studies on gratitude and age associations.…”

“…Although research on time perspective and gratitude seems clear, a review of the studies on the association between time perspectives and age (Mello & Worrel, 2015) as well as between trait gratitude and age (Chopik, Newton, Ryan, Kashdan, & Jarden, 2017;Froh, Kashdan, Ozimkowski, & Miller, 2009) is not free of inconsistencies and inconclusive findings (Laureiro-Martinez, Trujillo, & Unda, 2017). Some researchers suggest that young people focus more on the future and less on the past and the present (Mello & Worrel, 2006).…”

A Construct Matures: Time Perspective’s Multidimensional, Developmental, and Modifiable Qualities

“…Similarly, younger participants were more likely to focus on the present than their older counterparts, in study of individuals aged 8-90 years old who were from America, Europe, and Puerto Rica (Gonzalez & Zimbardo, 1985). Regarding time feelings, a meta-analysis of studies with individuals aged 13 to 75 indicated that negative attitudes toward the past were inversely associated with age (Laureiro-Martinez, Trujillo, & Unda, 2017).…”

How have we, do we, and will we measure time perspective? A review of methodological and measurement issues

“…In addition to a heavy reliance on undergraduate samples, Zimbardo and Boyd (1999) admitted that their focus on individualistic cultures also limited their validation efforts. In response, the ZTPI has been administered across the globe (Cretu & Negovan-Zbaganu, 2013;Laureiro-Martinez, Trujillo, & Unda, 2017).…”