Time Perspective, Well-being, and Hope

Abstract

Time perspective (TP) represents a person's tendency to focus more on the past, present or future and has been shown to predict measures of individual well-being (Boniwell, et al., 2010). This study examined the relationship between one’s time perspective and measures of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, specifically positive and negative affect, satisfaction with life, and self-actualization. Furthermore, this study explored hope across the different time perspectives. Two hundred and eighty eight Canadian adults were recruited via social media websites. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to validate the Balanced Time Perspective construct and suggests that the Hedonism time profile is as adaptive as the Balanced Time Perspective. Correlational analysis was used to examine the association between hope and the five different time perspectives. Results indicate that the past positive time perspective is most predictive of high levels of hope. Results were discussed and integrated into current time perspective and hope research.