A dark past, a restrained present, and an apocalyptic future: time perspective, personality, and life satisfaction among anorexia nervosa patients

Background Despite reporting low levels of well-being, anorexia nervosa patients express temperament traits (e.g., extraversion and persistence) necessary for high levels of life satisfaction. Nevertheless, among individuals without eating disorders, a balanced organization of the flow of time, influences life satisfaction beyond temperamental dispositions. A balanced time perspective is defined as: high past positive, low past negative, high present hedonistic, low present fatalistic, and high future. We investigated differences in time perspective dimensions, personality traits, and life satisfaction between anorexia nervosa patients and matched controls. We also investigated if the personality traits and the outlook on time associated to positive levels of life satisfaction among controls also predicted anorexia patients’ life satisfaction. Additionally, we investigated if time perspective dimensions predicted life satisfaction beyond personality traits among both patients and controls. Method A total of 88 anorexia nervosa patients from a clinic in the West of Sweden and 111 gender-age matched controls from a university in the West of Sweden participated in the Study. All participants responded to the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, the Ten Item Personality Inventory, and the Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results A t-test showed that patients scored higher in the past negative, the present fatalistic, and the future dimensions, lower in the past positive and the present hedonistic dimensions, higher in conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness, and lower in life satisfaction. Regression analyses showed that life satisfaction was predicted by openness to experience and emotional stability for controls and by emotional stability among patients. When time dimensions were entered in the regression, emotional stability and the past negative and past positive time dimensions predicted life satisfaction among controls, but only the past positive and present hedonistic time dimensions predicted life satisfaction among patients. Conclusion Anorexia patients were less satisfied with life despite being more conscientious, social, and agreeable than controls. Moreover, compared to controls, patients had an unbalanced time perspective: a dark view of the past (i.e., high past negative), a restrained present (i.e., low present hedonistic) and an apocalyptic view of the future (i.e., high present fatalistic). It is plausible to suggest that, therapeutic interventions should focus on empowering patients to cultivate a sentimental and positive view of the past (i.e., high past positive) and the desire to experience pleasure without concern for future consequences (i.e., high present hedonistic) so that they can make self-directed and flexible choices for their own well-being. Such interventions might have effects on life satisfaction beyond the patients’ temperamental disposition.

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Questions of Time and Affect: A person’s affectivity profile, time perspective, and well-being

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1630v1 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Danilo Garcia ◽

Uta Sailer ◽

Ali Al Nima ◽

Trevor Archer

Keyword(s):

Negative Affect ◽

Positive Affect ◽

Time Perspective ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Well Being ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Short Version ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

The Past ◽

Balanced Time Perspective

Background: A “balanced” time perspective has been suggested to have a positive influence on well-being: a sentimental and positive view of the past (high Past Positive), a less pessimistic attitude toward the past (low Past Negative), the desire of experiencing pleasure with slight concern for future consequences (high Present Hedonistic), a less fatalistic and hopeless view of the future (low Present Fatalistic), and the ability to find reward in achieving specific long-term goals (high Future). We used the affective profiles model (i.e., combinations of individuals’ experience of high/low positive/negative affectivity) to investigate differences between individuals in time perspective dimensions and to investigate if the influence of time perspective dimensions on well-being was moderated by the individual’s type of profile. Method: Participants (N = 720) answered to the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule, the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and two measures of well-being: the Temporal Satisfaction With Life Scale and the Scales of Psychological Well-Being-short version. A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was conducted to identify differences in time perspective dimensions and well-being among affective profiles. Four Structural Equation Models (SEM) were used to investigate which time perspective dimensions predicted well-being for each profile. Results: Comparisons between individuals at the extreme of the affective profiles model suggested that individuals with a self-fulfilling profile (high positive/low negative affect) were characterized by a “balanced” time perspective and higher well-being compared to individuals with a self-destructive profile (low positive/high negative affect). However, a different pattern emerged when individuals who differed in one affect dimension but matched in the other were compared to each other. For instance, decreases in the past negative time perspective dimension lead to high positive affect when negative affect is high (i.e., self-destructive vs. high affective) but to low negative affect when positive affect was high (i.e., high affective vs. self-fulfilling). The moderation analyses showed, for example, that for individuals with a self-destructive profile, psychological well-being was significantly predicted by the past negative, present fatalistic and future time perspectives. Among individuals with a high affective or a self-fulfilling profile, psychological well-being was significantly predicted by the present fatalistic dimension. Conclusions: The interactions found here go beyond the postulation of a “balanced” time perspective being the only way of promoting well-being. Instead, it presents a more person-centered approach to achieve higher levels of emotional, cognitive, and psychological well-being.

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Psychological predictors of loneliness among Palestinian university students in the West Bank

Transcultural Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/1363461519857298 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 57 (5) ◽

pp. 688-697 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Filasteen I. Nazzal ◽

Orlanda Cruz ◽

Félix Neto

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

West Bank ◽

Well Being ◽

Significant Others ◽

Psychological Problems ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

The West

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive role of life satisfaction, perceived social support, and psychological problems on loneliness among Palestinian university students in the West Bank. Participants were 254 volunteer undergraduate students (50.4% males and 49.6% females), ranging from 18 to 26 years of age. Data was collected using the Loneliness Scale (UCLA), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Psychological Problems Scale and a Demographic Information Form. There was a significant gender bias towards loneliness, male students being lonelier than female students. Results showed that students who had higher loneliness, felt less satisfied with their life and perceived less support from friends, family and significant others. Furthermore, students who had high loneliness also presented more psychological problems. These results also indicated that, after accounting for psychological problems, life satisfaction, and social support from friends and significant others are negative predictors of loneliness. These findings suggest that universities should create strategies to improve well-being and social support to protect students from the negative effects of loneliness.

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Questions of time and affect: a person’s affectivity profile, time perspective, and well-being

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.1826 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. e1826 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Danilo Garcia ◽

Uta Sailer ◽

Ali Al Nima ◽

Trevor Archer

Keyword(s):

Negative Affect ◽

Positive Affect ◽

Time Perspective ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Well Being ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Short Version ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

The Past ◽

Balanced Time Perspective

Background.A “balanced” time perspective has been suggested to have a positive influence on well-being: a sentimental and positive view of the past (high Past Positive), a less pessimistic attitude toward the past (low Past Negative), the desire of experiencing pleasure with slight concern for future consequences (high Present Hedonistic), a less fatalistic and hopeless view of the future (low Present Fatalistic), and the ability to find reward in achieving specific long-term goals (high Future). We used the affective profiles model (i.e., combinations of individuals’ experience of high/low positive/negative affectivity) to investigate differences between individuals in time perspective dimensions and to investigate if the influence of time perspective dimensions on well-being was moderated by the individual’s type of profile.Method.Participants (N= 720) answered to the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule, the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and two measures of well-being: the Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale and Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being-short version. A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was conducted to identify differences in time perspective dimensions and well-being among individuals with distinct affective profiles. Four structural equation models (SEM) were used to investigate which time perspective dimensions predicted well-being for individuals in each profile.Results.Comparisons between individuals at the extreme of the affective profiles model suggested that individuals with a self-fulfilling profile (high positive/low negative affect) were characterized by a “balanced” time perspective and higher well-being compared to individuals with a self-destructive profile (low positive/high negative affect). However, a different pattern emerged when individuals who differed in one affect dimension but matched in the other were compared to each other. For instance, decreases in the past negative time perspective dimension lead to high positive affect when negative affect is high (i.e., self-destructive vs. high affective) but to low negative affect when positive affect was high (i.e., high affective vs. self-fulfilling). The moderation analyses showed, for example, that for individuals with a self-destructive profile, psychological well-being was significantly predicted by the past negative, present fatalistic and future time perspectives. Among individuals with a high affective or a self-fulfilling profile, psychological well-being was significantly predicted by the present fatalistic dimension.Conclusions.The interactions found here go beyond the postulation of a “balanced” time perspective being the only way to promote well-being. Instead, we present a more person-centered approach to achieve higher levels of emotional, cognitive, and psychological well-being.

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Questions of Time and Affect: A person’s affectivity profile, time perspective, and well-being

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1630 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Danilo Garcia ◽

Uta Sailer ◽

Ali Al Nima ◽

Trevor Archer

Keyword(s):

Negative Affect ◽

Positive Affect ◽

Time Perspective ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Well Being ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Short Version ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

The Past ◽

Balanced Time Perspective

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Different Future Time Perspectives Interplay in Predicting Life Satisfaction

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000192 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 103-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Minjie Lu ◽

Angel Y. Li ◽

Helene H. Fung ◽

Klaus Rothermund ◽

Frieder R. Lang

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Time Perspective ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Time Perspective ◽

Hong Kong Chinese ◽

Future Time ◽

Time Perspectives ◽

Time Extension ◽

Future Self ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. This study addresses prior mixed findings on the relationship between future time perspective (FTP) and well-being as well as examines the associations between three aspects of FTP and life satisfaction in the health and friendship domains. 159 Germans, 97 US Americans, and 240 Hong Kong Chinese, aged 19–86 years, completed a survey on future self-views (valence) and life satisfaction. They also reported the extent to which they perceived future time as expanded vs. limited (time extension) and meaningful (openness). Findings revealed that individuals with more positive future self-views had higher satisfaction. However, those who perceived their future as more meaningful or perceived more time in their future reported higher satisfaction even when future self-views were less positive.

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Supplemental Material for Perceived Changes in Life Satisfaction From the Past, Present and to the Future: A Comparison of U.S. and Japan

Psychology and Aging ◽

10.1037/pag0000345.supp ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

The Past ◽

The Future

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Temporal Focus

The Oxford Handbook of Psychology of Time Travel and Temporality ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190256685.013.9 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Abbie J. Shipp

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

Psychology Research ◽

The Past ◽

Research Areas ◽

The Future ◽

Behavior Based ◽

The Individual ◽

And Behavior ◽

Temporal Focus

Temporal focus is the individual tendency to characteristically think more or less about the past, present, and future. Although originally rooted in early work from psychology, research on temporal focus has been steadily growing in a number of research areas, particularly since Zimbardo and Boyd’s (1999) influential article on the topic. This chapter will review temporal focus research from the past to the present, including how temporal focus has been conceptualized and measured, and which correlates and outcomes have been tested in terms of well-being and behavior. Based on this review, an agenda for research is created to direct temporal focus research in the future.

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Do opposite ends of same factors underlie life satisfaction vs. depressive symptoms among older people?

Aging Clinical and Experimental Research ◽

10.1007/s40520-020-01765-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katja Pynnönen ◽

Katja Kokko ◽

Milla Saajanaho ◽

Timo Törmäkangas ◽

Erja Portegijs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Older People ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Financial Situation ◽

Self Acceptance

Abstract Background Although depressive symptoms are more common among older than younger age groups, life satisfaction tends to remain stable over the life course, possibly because the underlying factors or processes differ. Aim To study whether the factors that increase the likelihood of high life satisfaction also decrease the likelihood of depressive symptoms among older people. Methods The data were a population-based probability sample drawn from community-dwelling people aged 75, 80, and 85 years (n = 1021). Participants’ life satisfaction was measured with the Satisfaction with Life Scale and depressive symptoms with the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Physical performance, perceived financial situation, executive functions, loneliness, self-acceptance, and having interests in one’s life were studied as explanatory variables. The data were analyzed using cross-sectional bivariate linear modeling. Results Better physical performance, not perceiving loneliness, having special interests in one’s life, and higher self-acceptance were associated with higher life satisfaction and fewer depressive symptoms. Better financial situation was related only to life satisfaction. Executive functions were not associated with either of the outcomes. Discussion The opposite ends of the same factors underlie positive and negative dimensions of mental well-being. Conclusion Further studies are warranted to better understand how people maintain life satisfaction with aging when many resources may diminish and depressive symptoms become more prevalent.

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Age-Friendliness and Life Satisfaction of Young-Old and Old-Old in Hong Kong

Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research ◽

10.1155/2017/6215917 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Alma M. L. Au ◽

Stephen C. Y. Chan ◽

H. M. Yip ◽

Jackie Y. C. Kwok ◽

K. Y. Lai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Social Participation ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Specific Aspect ◽

World Health ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Old Adults ◽

Young Old

Age-friendliness, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to enable and support individuals in different aspects of life for fostering life satisfaction and personal well-being as they age. We identified specific aspect(s) of age-friendliness associated with life satisfaction and examined similarities and differences in age-friendliness and life satisfaction in young-old and old-old adults. Six hundred and eighty-two ageing adults were asked to complete a survey questionnaire consisting of the Age-friendly City Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and sociodemographic variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the effects of various domains of age-friendliness on life satisfaction among the young-old adults (aged 65 to 74, n=351) and the old-old adults (aged 75 to 97, n=331). Common domains associated with life satisfaction in both young-old and old-old groups were transportation and social participation. Community and health services were associated with life satisfaction for the young-old group only. On the other hand, civic participation and employment was significantly associated with the old-old group only. Social participation is important for the young-old and the old-old. Ageing older adults can be a resource to the society. Implications for promoting and implementing age-friendliness were discussed in the context of successful and productive ageing and the need for a more refined taxonomy of social activities.

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Religious/Spiritual Struggles and Life Satisfaction among Young Roman Catholics: The Mediating Role of Gratitude

Religions ◽

10.3390/rel10060395 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 395 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Małgorzata Szcześniak ◽

Grażyna Bielecka ◽

Iga Bajkowska ◽

Anna Czaprowska ◽

Daria Madej

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Four Dimensions ◽

Dispositional Gratitude ◽

Spiritual Struggles ◽

The Relationship ◽

Roman Catholics

An extensive review of the psychological literature shows that interactions between religious/spiritual (R/S) struggles and other aspects of human functioning are complex and affected by “third” factors. Still, we have only a few studies that confirm R/S struggles as a source of well-being and indicate the ways in which it happens. In the present study, we aimed to verify whether the relationship between R/S struggles and life satisfaction was mediated by dispositional gratitude that seems to offer protection in times of adversity and turmoil. The sample consisted of 440 Roman Catholics (331 women) from Poland aged between 18 and 40. We applied the Religious Comfort and Strain Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Gratitude Questionnaire. In line with our hypotheses, it was confirmed that respondents with higher life satisfaction were more likely to display a higher sense of trust in God. They also declared a lower fear/guilt and perception of God as abandoning people. Gratitude correlated positively and significantly with religious comfort, and negatively with emotions towards God and social interactions surrounding religion. Moreover, it can be affirmed that dispositional gratitude mediated the relationship between three of four dimensions of religious strain and life satisfaction: religious comfort, negative emotions towards God, and negative social interactions surrounding religion.

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