Time Perspective and Risky Behaviors Among Nigerian Young Adults

Time attitudes affecting psychological health during COVID-19 pandemic: a two-wave, six-month prospective study in Taiwan

The COVID-19 pandemic has induced traumatic and fear responses globally. Time attitudes, which refer to one's feelings toward the past, present and future, may have certain effects on psychological adaptations during this crisis period. This study employed a person-centered approach and a two-wave prospective design to investigate how people with different time attitude profiles change differently in their PTSD symptoms and COVID-19-related fears from a low-risk stage to the first big COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan. Participants were 354 adults with a mean age of 27.79 years. The result provided support for the theoretical six-factor structure of the traditional Chinese Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory-Time Attitudes Scale (AATI-TA). Four clusters of time attitude profiles were identified (Positives, Negatives, Past Negatives and Pessimists). At both waves, Positives had lower levels of PTSD severity and COVID-19-related fears than most of the other groups, and the reverse was noted for Negatives. As for time effects, people across all profiles were significantly affected during the outbreak, but Negatives showed a greater increase in PTSD severity than other groups. In conclusion, mental health services should put efforts into early identification of those with highly negative time attitudes and implement interventions that nudge people toward a more balanced or positive attitude in each temporal frame, especially during adversity such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

An Examination of Multidimensional Time Perspective and Mental Health Outcomes

We examined the associations between time perspective and mental health outcomes (N = 337; M_age = 22.74, SD_age = 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 Buffers Teasing and Lessens Tobacco Use: The Moderating Role of Time Perspective on Bullying Victimization and Tobacco Use in Adolescents

Bullying victimization is a prevalent and harmful experience for adolescents and is positively associated with risky behaviors, including tobacco use. We investigated a potential moderator for the associations between bullying victimization and tobacco use, namely time perspective, which refers to thoughts about time. Bullied adolescents may focus on past events more than present or future events, which could lead to less adaptive coping mechanisms in response to stress, such as tobacco use. Multiple time perspective dimensions and time periods (past, present, and future) were examined. Time orientation refers to the relative emphasis placed on a time period. Time relation refers to the perceived relationship among the time periods. Bullying victimization and tobacco use were self-reported. Participants included 758 adolescents (M_age = 15.81, SD_age = 1.22; 54% female). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that bullying victimization was positively associated with tobacco use. Moderated regression analyses indicated that perceiving all time periods as important (time orientation) and interrelated (time relation) buffered the positive association between bullying victimization and tobacco use in adolescents. Analyses controlled for demographics, sensation seeking, and stress. Results suggest that future research should examine the viability of time perspective-based interventions for bullying victimization and tobacco use in adolescents.

Time perspective and amnestic mild cognitive impairment

OBJECTIVE

We examined time perspective in patients with amnesic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Prior research has shown that aMCI is associated with difficulties in experiencing time duration and succession. However, this line of inquiry has not been extended to time perspective. We examined associations between aMCI and multiple dimensions of time perspective including perceived orientations and relationships among the past, present, and future.

METHOD

Thirty aMCI patients and thirty-three healthy controls participated. Measures were the Time Orientation Scale (TOS), the Time Relation Scale (TRS), and the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), as well as a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation.

RESULTS

The TRS was associated with aMCI. Patients with aMCI were more likely to perceive that time was unrelated than the healthy older adults. Among patients with aMCI, an unrelated time perspective was associated with poorer performance in executive function measures. However, aMCI was not associated with the TOS or the ZTPI.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with aMCI have difficulty in perceiving relationships among the past, present, and future. This could be the consequence of deficits in executive functions. This research suggests that patients with aMCI may have limited understanding for how their current behaviours are related to both their past and future.

The Assessment of Time Attitudes Among Adolescents and Young Adults With the Polish Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory – Time Attitude Scale (AATI-TA-Polish)

Abstract. In this paper, we examined the dimensionality, reliability, structural validity, and convergent validity of scores on the Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory – Time Attitude Scale (AATI-TA) in a sample of 989 Polish adolescents and young adults. Two studies were conducted. In Study 1, confirmatory factor analyses supported both the original 6-factor model (Past Positive, Past Negative, Positive Present, Negative Present, Future Positive, and Future Negative) and an alternative time-valence model with two factors related to valence (Positivity and Negativity) and three temporal factors (Past, Present, and Future). Study 1 results also provided evidence of invariance between adolescents and adults up to latent means. AATI-TA scores were also found to be invariant by gender and national context with scores from American adolescents. AATI-TA scores also yielded satisfactory reliability estimates. In Study 2, the incremental validity of AATI-TA scores over the contributions of ZTPI scores was assessed for and demonstrated with satisfaction with life and self-esteem. Overall, the results suggest that the Polish version of the AATI-TA yields psychometrically sound scores in Polish adolescents and adults.

Time among the taunted: The moderating effect of time perspective on bullying victimization and self-esteem in adolescents

INTRODUCTION

Bullying victimization is detrimental to psychosocial wellbeing in adolescents. It is paramount that factors that mitigate the harmful effects of bullying victimization be identified. Time perspective may be a potential mechanism. Thus, we examined the moderating effect of time perspective on the associations between traditional and cyberbullying victimization (being bullied in person and on electronic media) and self-esteem in adolescents. Time perspective refers to feelings and thoughts about the past, present, and future. We examined time feelings (positive and negative feelings about the time periods), time frequency (frequency of thoughts about the time periods), and time relation (the perceived relationship among the time periods).

METHODS

Two cross-sectional survey studies were conducted. Study 1 examined traditional bullying victimization in 721 American adolescents (M_age = 15.84, SD = 1.20; 57% female). Study 2 examined cyberbullying victimization in 190 American adolescents (M_age = 15.83, SD = 1.28; 59% female).

RESULTS

Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that time perspective dimensions moderated the associations between high levels of traditional and cyberbullying victimization and self-esteem in adolescents who (a) had strong positive and weak negative feelings about the present and future (time feelings); (b) thought a little about the past (time frequency); or (c) perceived all time periods as interrelated (time relation).

CONCLUSIONS

Time perspective dimensions (feelings, frequency, and relation) moderated the associations between traditional and cyberbullying victimization and self-esteem in adolescents. Findings have implications for bullying victimization prevention efforts. Findings also demonstrate the multidimensional and multi-temporal qualities of time perspective.

Searching for Something Positive in Future Negative: The Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory-Time Attitudes Scale

The Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory-Time Attitudes Scale (AATI-TA) measures emotional engagement with the past, present, and future, and scores have been shown to relate meaningfully to health outcomes. For past, present, and future, five items are used to assess both positive and negative attitudes. Although evidence for the hypothesized six-factor solution has been widely reported, some studies have indicated problems with the Future Negative items. Given that a large and growing literature has emerged on the six-factor AATI-TA, and that AATI-TA scores have shown much better and more consistent fit than other temporal psychology measures, we sought to investigate the future negative factor in detail. Secondary analyses were performed on two datasets. The first was a University convenience sample (N = 410) and the second was an adolescent sample (N = 1,612). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the fit for the five Future Negative items was poor. Modification indices suggested that a correlated error term between Items 4 and 10 would result in good fit, and this was indeed the case. Models without Item 4 or Item 10 also yielded acceptable fit. Analyses using all four operationalizations of Future Negative (original scale, without Item 4 or Item 10, or with the correlated error between Items 4 and 10) to predict symptoms of anxiety and depression, and emotional self-efficacy revealed minor differences in the predictive validity coefficients. Potential ways forward, including a correlated error term or the dropping or replacement of Item 10, are discussed.

Time Attitude Profiles and Health-Related Behaviors: Validation of a Spanish Version of the Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory-Time Attitudes (AATI-TA)

Temporal psychology constructs are an individual difference variable related to behavioral outcomes. Recent research has shown that there are different time attitude profiles based on different configurations of the six Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory-Time Attitude (AATI-TA) subscales. The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of AATI-TA scores in Uruguay and determine the existence of temporal profiles in this context. Participants were a convenience sample of 446 (36.5% males) adults in Uruguay with a mean age of 34.53 years (SD = 13.17, range 18-75 years). Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the AATI-TA, and questionnaires on intentions, behaviors, and attitudes towards healthy food consumption and physical activity. AATI-TA scores had good reliabilities (> .70). The six-factor solution was supported and invariance by gender and age group was established. We identified five profiles - Resilients, High Positives, Negatives, Present Negatives, and Moderate Positives - which were associated differently with healthy food consumption patterns. Negative profiles were related to higher levels of unhealthy food consumption.

The Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory-Time Attitudes Scale: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis of Psychometric Studies

The exponential growth in studies demonstrating the utility of temporal psychology has been accompanied by many studies criticizing the psychometric properties of many of its assessment measures. The Adolescent (and Adult) Time Inventory-Time Attitudes Scale (AATI-TA) has been relatively immune to these criticisms. Given the increase in the use of this particular measure, we undertook a comprehensive review of studies assessing the psychometric validity and internal consistency of the AATI-TA. Computerized searches were conducted in Scopus, PsycINFO, and EMBASE databases, with 19 manuscripts ultimately retained, and data from a total of 29 samples analyzed. Results revealed that at a broad level, these analyses supported both the psychometric validity, and internal consistency of AATI-TA scores, with some minor issues identified with the Future Negative dimension. Meta-regression analyses revealed some small-sized but significant effects for age, language, and location on RMSEA, alpha values, and mean scores. However, these did not survive the Benjamini-Hochberg correction. Observed heterogeneity among studies has implications for any future creation of scale norms. Future directions for research include an exploration of the readability and appropriateness of Future Negative items, temporal stability of scores, and more psychometric studies with adult samples.

Time Perspective Constructs in Albanian and Italian Adolescents: Exploratory Analyses

Time perspective is an important correlate of developmental outcomes in adolescence, and research has highlighted the importance of assessing the past, the present, and the future. However, there are few instruments that assess all three time periods. In the current study, we examined the responses of Italian and Albanian adolescents on the time frequency, time orientation, time relation, and time attitude subscales of the Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory. Participants consisted of two samples of adolescents-246 Italians and 312 Albanians-who completed translated versions of the Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory. Italian and Albanian adolescents had similar responses to time frequency and time attitudes but differed in time orientation and time relation. Additionally, psychometric evidence supported the internal consistency and structural validity of scores on five of the six time attitude subscales-Past Positive, Past Negative, Present Positive, Present Negative, and Future Positive-but provided less support for Future Negative subscale scores. Time attitude scores showed strong invariance across countries. Comparisons of time attitude mean scores in this study with time attitude means in samples from Germany, Japan, Italy, New Zealand, Turkey, and the United States revealed similarities and differences. Finally, time constructs did not have substantial associations with risky behaviors or seatbelt use. The findings suggest that the Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory can be used in cross-cultural research on time perspective and may help us understand adolescents in these contexts.

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

Human development approaches to time perspective that are life-span and include multiple developmental periods are largely lacking in the literature even though the topic has received wide attention from many scholars. Extant studies have focused on specific age groups or have compared younger and older adults. This introduction addresses these issues and provides on overview of the multidimensional, developmental, and modifiable qualities of time perspective. The four contributions focus on distinct age groups including adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults. The papers included several conceptualizations of time perspective, diverse participants, and age-specific outcomes. Collectively, this work sets the stage for the next era of age-related research on time perspective.