Exploring Time Perspective in Greek Young Adults: Validation of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and Relationships with Mental Health Indicators

Abstract

In this article we examine the factorial structure of the Greek version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI; Zimbardo and Boyd in J Personal Soc Psychol 77:1271-1288, in a sample of 337 university students, using principal axis factoring (PAF) with oblique rotation, and its dimensionality using parallel analysis. Moreover, we evaluate the internal consistency reliability, the convergent validity (through associations with mental health indicators such as dispositional optimism, self-esteem, trait anxiety, depression, and proactive coping), as well as discriminant, and differential validity of this instrument. The results indicated that the ZTPI had a 5-factor structure (past negative, past positive, present fatalistic, present hedonistic, future). Correlational analyses indicated that an aversive view of the past, and a fatalistic attitude toward life were positively and significantly associated with trait anxiety and depression, while they were negatively correlated with self-esteem, proactive coping, and dispositional optimism. Future time perspective was positively associated with proactive coping, whereas a positive attitude toward the past was negatively associated with depression and trait anxiety. Psychometric properties of the five ZTPI scales were satisfactory (Cronbach's alphas ranging from .710 to .845), thus facilitating the robust investigation of time perspective in Greek speaking populations. However confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the ''positive attitude toward the past'' dimension might not be a good indicator of time perspective. We discuss the theoretical implications of these findings for future studies of time perspective.

International studies in time perspective

“…Whereas in approach acceptance, a person believes in death as a gateway to a happy life hereafter (Neimeyer, 1994). So, this fi nding supported studies which showed PP as related to a strong sense of self-esteem and happiness, and low levels of depression and anxiety (Anagnostopoulos & Griva, 2012). Present-Hedonistic (PH) showed positive correlations with escape and avoidance acceptance.…”

“…Studies showed that negative perception of the past refl ects an unhappy view toward the past and it is associated with depression, trait anxiety and self-reported unhappiness Anagnostopoulos & Griva, 2012). In additional, higher levels of depression and anxiety were also predicted by PN in individuals diagnosed with chronic diseases such as diabetes (Anagnostopoulos & Griva, 2012). Death is feared for different reasons.…”

“…One's beliefs about negative past experiences and a life path predestined and uninfl uenced by individual actions have been positively associated with depression and trait anxiety, and negatively associated with self-esteem. A present-time perspective has been positively related to risk-taking behaviors and substance use (Anagnostopoulos & Griva, 2012).…”

Optimism and College Grades: Predicting GPA From Explanatory Style

“…The way in which an individual emotionally focuses on one aspect of time (e.g., past, present, or future) relative to other aspects of time, impacts that individual's daily decisions, behaviors, and plans . For example, individuals who tend to focus on the present are more likely to self-report substance use (Keough, Zimbardo, & Boyd, 1999;Wills, Sandy, & Yaeger, 2001), but those who focus on the future are more likely to engage in proactive coping (Anagnostopoulos & Griva, 2012). The relation between temporal orientation and health-related outcomes may be moderated by an individual's desire for control over the situation (Fieulaine & Martinez, 2010).…”

Propiedades Psicométricas del Inventario de Orientación Temporal de Zimbardo en una Muestra Chilena

“…asimismo, ha sido adaptado a otros idiomas para su uso con poblaciones de otras nacionalidades como la española (Díaz-Morales, 2006), mexicana (Corral-Verdugo, FraijoSing y Pinheiro, 2006), brasileña (Milfont, Andrade, Belo y Pessoa, 2008), portuguesa (Ortuño y Gamboa, 2009), francesa (Apostolodis y Fieulaine, 2004), italiana (D'Alessio, Guarino, de Pascalis, y Zimbardo, 2003) y griega (Anagnostopoulos y Griva, 2012), entre otras, cuyos resultados han mostrado que salvo matices y leves variaciones de tipo sociocultural, la estructura factorial original y propiedades del instrumento pueden mantenerse.…”