Abstract
Time perspective is crucial for our present and future plans, and for the way we act in the present. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between time perspective and subjective well-being in older adults. The sample of our questionnaire study consisted of 149 older adults aged between 65 and 96 years. Time perspective was measured with the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory. The five time perspective dimensions were related to four specific aspects of subjective well-being (positive affect, negative affect, life satisfaction and depression). Future-oriented older persons had a more positive affect. Older adults who were positively oriented towards the past appeared to be more satisfied with life. A hedonistic view of the present was related to a high positive affect. Older persons with a Past-Negative perspective were more likely to experience negative affect and depressive feelings, along with a lower level of positive affect and satisfaction with life. The Present-Fatalistic time perspective correlated with more depressive symptoms. The findings emphasize the relevance of time perspective styles for the subjective well-being, which has specific implications for the way caregivers could interact with older adults to enhance quality of life.
Highlights
Aims and HypothesesEmpirical studies on the relationship between past, present or future time perspective (TP) and Subjective well-being (SWB) in older adults are limited
This study aimed to investigate within a cross-sectional design whether dimensions of Subjective well-being (SWB) are related to the five dimensions of time perspective (TP) among older adults
Four linear regression analyses were performed with the four measures of SWB entered simultaneously as the dependent variables: positive affect (N = 119), negative affect (N = 120), satisfaction with life (N = 121) and depression (N = 121), and each with the five scores on the five time dimensions mentioned by Zimbardo and Boyd (1999) as the independent variables
Summary
Empirical studies on the relationship between past, present or future TP and SWB in older adults are limited. This study aimed to investigate within a cross-sectional design whether dimensions of SWB are related to the five dimensions of TP among older adults. Based on the above mentioned research, four hypotheses regarding the relationship between four specific measurements of SWB and five dimensions of TP were formulated. The more elderly people are Past-Positive, Present-Hedonistic and Future-oriented, the greater their positive affect. Satisfaction with life would be related to the Present-Hedonistic and Future TP and to a positive view of the past (Past-Positive). It has been hypothesized that a more Past-Negative and Present-Fatalistic focus may be related to higher levels of depressive symptomatology. As elders are more Past-Negative and more Present-Fatalistic oriented, they would experience more negative affect
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