Is consideration of future consequences a changeable construct?

Abstract

The consideration of future consequences (CFC) scale is designed to measure whether individuals consider the future implications of their current actions. The CFC Scale was administered in 11 waves to a heterogeneous panel, designed to be representative of the Dutch population aged 16 and over. To empirically validate the CFC Scale in a non-academic longitudinal setting, this paper examines internal consistency, stability, and underlying factors of the CFC construct. In addition, effects of personal characteristics, individual changes over time, and learning effects are taken into account. The CFC Scale is found to have an acceptable internal consistency. It is a changeable construct over the years, though it may remain stable over the course of a single year. Education has a significant effect on CFC. No evidence was found that re-interviewing affected responses to the CFC Scale.