Limited Future Time Research Articles

Future time perspective and awareness of age-related change: Examining their role in predicting psychological well-being.

This study examined how 2 distinct facets of perceived personal lifetime-future time perspective (FTP) and awareness of age-related change (AARC)-are associated with another, and how they may interact to predict psychological well-being. To better understand associations among subjective perceptions of lifetime, aging, and well-being, we tested a series of models to investigate questions of directionality, indirect effects, and conditional processes among FTP, AARC-Gains, AARC-Losses, and psychological well-being. In all models, we tested for differences between middle-aged and older adults, and between adults from the United States and Germany. Analyses were conducted within a structural equation modeling framework on a cross-national, 2.5-year longitudinal sample of 537 community-residing adults (age 40-98 years). Awareness of age-related losses (AARC-Losses) at Time 1 predicted FTP at Time 2, but FTP did not predict AARC-Gains or AARC-Losses. Furthermore, future time perspective mediated the association between AARC-Losses and well-being. Moderation analyses revealed a buffering effect of awareness of age-related gains (AARC-Gains) in which perceptions of more age-related gains diminished the negative effect of a limited future time perspective on well-being. Effects were robust across age groups and countries. Taken together, these findings suggest that perceived age-related loss experiences may sensitize individuals to perceive a more limited future lifetime which may then lead to lower psychological well-being. In contrast, perceived age-related gains may function as a resource to preserve psychological well-being, in particular when time is perceived as running out. (PsycINFO Database Record

The limits of a limited future time perspective in explaining age differences in emotional functioning.

Although a limited future time perspective (FTP) has been theorized to be the underlying mechanism of positive emotional functioning later in life, there is scant empirical evidence for this position. Using an integrative data-analytic approach, we investigated the predictive value of FTP, age, and subjective health in explaining emotional functioning in a sample of 2,504 adults (17 to 87 years, M = 35.5, SD = 14.2). Although older adults reported a more limited FTP than younger adults, age and a limited FTP had opposite effects in predicting subjective well-being, affect, positive emotions, empathy, and attitudes toward emotions. That is, old age was linked to a more adaptive emotional profile, whereas a limited FTP was linked to a more maladaptive emotional profile. This was the case even after controlling for health-related aspects. The findings question the usage of FTP as an explanatory variable for observed age differences in emotional functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record

Hour glass half full or half empty? Future time perspective and preoccupation with negative events across the life span.

According to socioemotional selectivity theory, older adults' emotional well-being stems from having a limited future time perspective that motivates them to maximize well-being in the "here and now." Presumably, then, older adults' time horizons are associated with emotional competencies that boost positive affect and dampen negative affect, but little research has addressed this. Using a U.S. adult life-span sample (N = 3,933; 18-93 years), we found that a 2-factor model of future time perspective (future opportunities; limited time) fit the data better than a 1-factor model. Through middle age, people perceived the life-span hourglass as half full-they focused more on future opportunities than limited time. Around Age 60, the balance changed to increasingly perceiving the life-span hourglass as half empty-they focused less on future opportunities and more on limited time, even after accounting for perceived health, self-reported decision-making ability, and retirement status. At all ages, women's time horizons focused more on future opportunities compared with men's, and men's focused more on limited time. Focusing on future opportunities was associated with reporting less preoccupation with negative events, whereas focusing on limited time was associated with reporting more preoccupation. Older adults reported less preoccupation with negative events, and this association was stronger after controlling for their perceptions of limited time and fewer future opportunities, suggesting that other pathways may explain older adults' reports of their ability to disengage from negative events. Insights gained and questions raised by measuring future time perspective as 2 dimensions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

The end is (not) near: Aging, essentialism, and future time perspective.

Beliefs about aging influence how we interpret and respond to changes within and around us. Essentialist beliefs about aging are defined as views that link chronological age with inherent and immutable properties underlying aging-related changes. These beliefs may influence the experience of aging-related changes and shape people's outlook of the future. We hypothesized that people who endorse essentialist beliefs about aging report a more limited future time perspective. Two studies provided correlational (Study 1, N = 250; 18-77 years) and experimental (Study 2, N = 103; 20-77 years) evidence that essentialist beliefs about aging affect people's future time perspective. In addition, Study 2 and Study 3 (N = 174; 34-67 years) tested the underlying mechanism and provided evidence that perception of aging-related threat explains the effect of essentialist beliefs on a reduced future time perspective. These findings highlight the fundamental role of essentialist beliefs about aging for the perception of time horizons in the context of aging. (PsycINFO Database Record

Future Time Perspective as a Moderator for the Social Exchange-Affective Commitment Relation

This paper examines the role of employees’ future time perspective (FTP) in the association between employees’ social exchange perceptions and affective organizational commitment. Drawing on socioemotional selectivity theory, we hypothesize a main effects of workers’ social exchange perceptions on affective organizational commitment and a moderating effect of future time perspective on this relationship, such that social exchange relates more strongly to affective commitment for workers with limited future time perspective. The results of a multilevel study comprising 240 employees in 44 business units provide support for the hypothesized main effect and interaction between social exchange and future time perspective on affective commitment. We discuss the results, theoretical contributions, and practical implications of the study, as well as future research directions.

Социо-эмоциональная селективность как фактор субъективного благополучия в пожилом и старческом возрасте

The article shows that the presence of social support, сonfidant network is associated with positive subjective well-being in elderly (55 - 74 years) and old age (75-90 years). However, certain types of social interaction can be considered as predictors of affective disorders and chronic somatic disorders in later ages as in normal aging and in neurodegenerative disorders. The purpose of this article is to familiarize professionals in the mental health of people of later ages with the theory of socio-emotional selectivity (Socioemotional Selectivity Theory) L.L. Carstensen, who makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the specificity and mechanisms of selection in social interaction in elderly and old age. Central mechanisms of socio-emotional selection in the later ages are the awareness of time and limited future time perspective, which enhances the awareness of mortality.

Time since birth and time left to live: opposing forces in constructing psychological wellbeing

ABSTRACTAgeing, by definition, involves moving across lived time. Grounded in developmental psychology, particularly lifespan developmental theory, this study examines two time-related factors that may affect psychological wellbeing in adulthood. Particularly, chronological age and perceived time left to live (i.e.future time perspective) are predicted to act as opposing forces in the construction of psychological wellbeing. Young (N = 285, 19–29 years) and middle-aged adults (N = 135, 47–64 years) self-reported their current psychological wellbeing (across six dimensions) and their sense of future time perspective. As predicted, mediation analyses show that higher levels of chronological age (being in midlife), and having a more open-ended, positive future time perspective are both related to higher psychological wellbeing. Note, however, that being in midlife is related to a more limited and negative future time perspective. As such, confirming our conceptual argument, while both age and future perspective are measures of time in a general sense, analyses show that they act as unique, opposing forces in the construction of psychological wellbeing. The current research suggests that individuals can optimise psychological wellbeing to the extent that they maintain an open-ended and positive sense of the future.

Beyond chronological age. Examining perceived future time and subjective health as age-related mediators in relation to work-related motivations and well-being

Since workforces across the world are aging, researchers and organizations need more insight into how and why occupational well-being, together with work-related attitudes and motivations, change with age. Lifespan theories point to subjective health and future time perspective (i.e. an individual's perceptions of his or her remaining time to live) as potentially relevant age-related variables. Using two Dutch samples, a health care company (N=448) and university employees (N=1271), we examined whether subjective health and future time, perceived as open-ended or limited, mediate the relation between age and work-related motivations (growth, security, esteem and generativity), and whether those motivations in turn influence work engagement. In line with lifespan theories, the study demonstrated that the relations of chronological age with work-related growth, esteem and security motivations were mediated by an open-ended future time perspective and a good subjective general health. The association between age and generativity motivations was not mediated by a limited future time perspective. Furthermore, growth, esteem and generativity motivations had a positive association with work engagement. These findings imply that the future time perspective and subjective health of older workers should be taken into account, and not just chronological age, when examining or managing their occupational well-being.

The Influence of Future Time Perspective on Worker Outcomes: The Role of Job Crafting

This three-wave longitudinal study aimed to examine the mediating role of job crafting in associations between open-ended and limited future time perspective (FTP) and work outcomes. Based on the l...

The role of future time perspective in psychological contracts: A study among older workers

Using a sample of post-retirement workers ( N = 176), this study investigated the role of future time perspective (FTP) in psychological contracts. The study aimed to test: (i) whether future time perspective is related to employer psychological contract fulfillment and (ii) whether it moderates relations between psychological contract fulfillment and employee obligations. Based on previous work, three types of employer psychological contract fulfillment are examined: economic, socio-emotional, and developmental fulfillment. FTP was expected to relate positively to developmental fulfillment. Moreover, people with limited future time perspective were hypothesized to manifest a stronger relationship between economic and socio-emotional fulfillment and employee obligations. Results showed that future time perspective is indeed significantly related to developmental fulfillment, and also moderated the relations between contract fulfillment and employee obligations. More specifically, economic and socio-emotional fulfillments were significantly stronger related to obligations among older workers with high FTP.

Age differences in forgivingness: The role of future time perspective

The present study examined age differences in forgivingness, defined as an enduring tendency to forgive others. Building on the theory of socioemotional selectivity, the study aimed at clarifying the role of future time perspective and social proximity on age differences in forgivingness. Older ( N = 132) and younger participants ( N = 225) were instructed to judge their willingness to forgive as a function of social proximity and future time perspective. Controlling for self-reported future time perspective, results indicate that older adults were more willing to forgive than younger adults. Social proximity did not play a role in older adults, whereas younger adults reported greater forgivingness with respect to a friend as compared to an acquaintance. In addition, results demonstrate that the perception of future time plays an essential role in forgivingness. An age by future time perspective interaction effect was found, suggesting that the effect of limited future time perspective was smaller in older adults than in younger adults. Future directions concerning the meaning and possible implications of age differences in forgivingness are discussed.

Comparison of Two Real-Time Predictive Strategies for the Optimal Energy Management of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle

The presence of at least two alternative power sources in a HEV poses the problem of determining the optimal power split among them for a given driver's request in order to achieve a minimum fuel consumption. This article will introduce two strategies capable of solving this optimisation problem both relying on predictive information about the driving conditions within a limited future time horizon. The important aspects of optimality of the determined power split and the real-time applicability of the algorithms are addressed.

Gender differences in social network characteristics and psychological well-being among Hong Kong Chinese: The role of future time perspective and adherence to Renqing

Gender differences in social network characteristics are well documented in the literature. Socioemotional selectivity theory emphasizes the importance of future time perception on selection of social partners whereas cultural studies stress the roles of Renqing (relationship orientation) on social interactions. This study examined the effects of future time perspective and adherence to Renqing on social network characteristics, and their associations with psychological well-being of 321 Chinese men and women, aged 28–91 years. Results showed that adherence to Renqing partially accounted for gender differences in the number of relatives, even after controlling for the effects of extraversion and structural factors. Moreover, women, but not men, with lower adherence to Renqing and more limited future time perspective were found to be happier when they had fewer close friends in their social networks.

Endings and Continuity of Social Relationships: Maximizing Intrinsic Benefits within Personal Networks when Feeling Near to Death

Changes within an individual's personal network may reflect either non-deliberate endings, such as loss, or active choice of social partners. This research explores to what extent perceptions of limited future time are associated with deliberate endings of social relationships and active maximization of intrinsic benefits in one's personal network. In a longitudinal follow-up study, the personal networks of 206 older adults aged between 70 and 103 years were assessed twice within a 4-year time interval. Change of personal networks and change within social relationships were explored in association with age cohort, subjective health, cognitive functioning, neuroticism, extraversion, and subjective nearness to death. Most changes within personal networks occurred in less close relationships, while close emotional relationships proved stable. More than half of discontinued relationships were ended for deliberate reasons. Within ongoing social relationships, emotional closeness after 4 years was improved when social partners were family members and emotional supporters (e.g. confidants). When older adults felt near to death, emotional closeness with others decreased, except within relationships with family members and with social companions. The findings suggest that individuals actively shape the compositions of their personal networks in order to maximize the availability of intrinsic and extrinsic benefits from others.

Fast Solution and Detection of Minimal Forecast Horizons in Dynamic Programs with a Single Indicator of the Future: Applications to Dynamic Lot-Sizing Models

In most dynamic planning problems, one observes that an optimal decision at any given stage depends on limited information, i.e., information pertaining to a limited set of adjacent or nearby stages. This holds in particular for planning problems over time, where an optimal decision in a given period depends on information related to a limited future time horizon, a so-called forecast horizon, only. In this paper we identify a general class of dynamic programs in which an efficient forward algorithm can be designed to solve the problem and to identify minimal forecast horizons. Such a procedure specifies necessary and sufficient conditions for a stage to arise as a forecast horizon. This class of dynamic programs includes the single-item dynamic lot-sizing model with general concave costs, both with and without backlogging, to which special attention is given.

Future time perspective and daily occupations of persons with chronic schizophrenia in a board and care home.

An ethnographic approach was used to study the relationship between temporal perspective in persons with chronic schizophrenia and their ability to function in chosen occupations and participate in the routines of a board and care home. Components of future time perspective (extension, coherence, and density) are associated with the ability to organize and implement goal-directed activities. The study focused on how future time perspective occurs in a board and care home, with particular emphasis on how the institution influences temporality. Participant observation and interviewing were used to gather data on 10 subjects. The pervasive influence of the facility's institutional rules and expectations is revealed in the findings of subjects' present time orientation and limited future time perspective. An examination of the fit between the demands of available roles within one's environment and occupations is proposed.