Sex Differences in Brain Structure Account for the Sexual Distinction on Balanced Time Perspective

Sex differences in behaviour and cognition have been widely observed, however, little is known about such differences in maintaining a balanced time perspective or their potential underlying neural substrates. To answer the above questions, two studies were conducted. In Study 1, time perspective was assessed in 1,913 college students, including 771 males and 1,092 females, and demonstrated that females had a significantly more balanced time perspective than males. In Study 2, 58 males and 47 females underwent assessment of time perspective and structural brain imaging. Voxel-based morphometry analysis and cortical thickness analysis were used to analyse the structural imaging data. Results showed that compared with males, females demonstrated a more balanced time perspective, which primarily related to lower grey matter volume in left precuneus, right cerebellum, right putamen and left supplementary motor area. Analysis of cortical thickness failed to reveal any significant sex differences. Furthermore, the sex difference in grey matter volume of left precuneus, right cerebellum, right putamen and left supplementary motor area could account for the difference in balanced time perspective between males and females. The findings deepen our understanding of sex differences in human cognition and their potential neural signature, and may inform tailored interventions to support a balanced time perspective in daily life.

Enhancing Planning Behavior during Retirement: Effects of a Time Perspective Based Training Intervention

Time perspective is a psychological construct that reflects the way people view time. Two schools of thought exist that theorize how this temporal mindset affects behavior—dominant and balanced. We applied dominant and balanced time perspective frameworks separately to two versions of an online intervention that aimed to promote goal-setting and accumulation of essential retirement resources (health, physical, social, cognitive and emotional) and compared effects with a control group. The effectiveness of the intervention was tested with 109 US retirees using a 4-wave design over a 6-month period. Linear mixed models showed an increase in health goal striving for the balanced group at posttraining and gains were maintained at the 3-month time point. Both training groups demonstrated an increase in the number and specificity of goals at posttraining and 3-months. Applying a time perspective framework to an online planning intervention for retirees shows promise in promoting planning for retirement resources. Practical implications, limitations, and suggestions for developing future interventions are discussed.

Psychological Flexibility and Self-Compassion as Predictors of Well-Being: Mediating Role of a Balanced Time Perspective

Measures of psychological flexibility and self-compassion are strongly associated with well-being. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that these relationships are mediated by a balanced time perspective, a proposed ideal way of relating to the past, present, and future that may correspond with an ability to flexibly switch temporal focus. For this purpose, a Polish community sample (N = 421) responded to a web-survey including measures of psychological flexibility (AAQ-II), self-compassion (SCS), two measures of positive aspects of well-being (Satisfaction with Life, Quality of Life), and the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI). Structural equation models, involving a measure of deviation from a balanced time perspective (DBTP) as a mediator of relationships between latent-level psychological flexibility, self-compassion and well-being factors, were tested. We examined separate models for psychological flexibility and self-compassion and a model including both constructs. The results for separate models were consistent with partial mediation of relationships with well-being, both for psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Results for the analysis involving both constructs, suggested unique contributions of both to DBTP, which in turn predicted well-being, but the link between psychological flexibility and DBTP appeared to be the strongest. In further analyses, three ZTPI dimensions were identified as most critical, namely Past Positive, Present Fatalistic, and Past Negative, each of which were part of an indirect effect on well-being. Psychological flexibility in particular, showed a strong negative association with a Past Negative orientation. Taken together, the results indicate that time perspective is a factor to understand the links between psychological flexibility/self-compassion and well-being. While the results pertaining to self-compassion were consistent with results of a couple of prior studies, this is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of a link between psychological flexibility and a balanced time perspective. These findings should be relevant for clinical research and practice.

Does deviation from a balanced time perspective meaningfully relate to alcohol use and symptoms of anxiety and depression? Comparing results using DBTP and DBTP-r

Time perspective research examines the way in which thoughts and/or feelings about the past, present, and future influence behavior, and deviation from a balanced time perspective (DBTP) has been suggested to be functionally disadvantageous. Recently a revised formula (DBTP-r) was suggested for the derivation of DBTP scores. The present study examined the relationship between self-reported alcohol use and both symptoms of anxiety and depression, with scores on the DBTP and the DBTP-r. Participants (N = 940, 48.09% Male) were recruited as part of a University project and completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory. In analyses adjusted for age and sex, DBTP and DBTP-r performed similarly in relation to mental health symptomatology, while only DBTP-r was significantly related to alcohol use. In more adjusted models, more variance was explained in DBTP-r models although neither DBTP score was significantly related to either alcohol use or symptomatology scores when they were operationalised categorically. DBTP-r appears to discriminate better than DBTP, with the caveat that this is the first study to compare them.

The meaning of temporal balance: Does meaning in life mediate the relationship between a balanced time perspective and mental health?

The construct of a Balanced Time Perspective (BTP) predicts a variety of indices of mental health and well-being. We argue that one possible intermediate link between BTP and well-being may be an individual’s sense of presence of meaning in life. Participants ranging in age from 19 to 88 years (N = 192) completed two measures of time perspective (Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory [ZTPI] and the modified Balanced Time Perspective Scale [mBTPS]), mental health, personality, and meaning in life. Correlational results showed that a BTP, mental health, and meaning in life were positively interrelated. Hierarchical regression models showed that a BTP (as measured with the mBTPS) explained additional variance in mental health beyond demographic, personality, and ZTPI scores. Mediation analyses showed that meaning served as a significant indirect link between BTP and well-being.

Time Perspective among Patients Diagnosed with Neurotic and Personality Disorders − an Exploratory, Clinical Study

(1) An assessment of the structure of time perspective (TP) in a group of patients with neurotic and personality disorders (ICD-10: F4x, F60.x, F61) treated with group psychotherapy. (2) An analysis of the differences between the structure of TP in patients and the general population in order to expand the understanding of the relations between TP and mental health. Data were collected from 49 patients at the University Hospital Day Centre for the Treatment of Neurotic Disorders and Behavioural Syndromes. The measurement of TP was performed with the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory. A licensed psychiatrist conducted the diagnosis of neurotic and personality disorders, with additional data obtained from the Symptom Checklist KO ‘O’ and the Neurotic Personality Questionnaire KON-2006. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the structure of TP between patients and the general population. Among patients, the intensity of the past experienced negatively was significantly higher, and subsequently, the degree of the past experienced positively was lower. Patients remain in the negative past and concentrate much more on the pain and the worrying memories. They give much less attention to what was and what is valuable and pleasant in their life. Results of this research reveal distinct features of the structure of TP in the studied group. Findings underline the clinical relevance of TP at various stages of therapy. Restoring a balanced time perspective could be regarded as a tenable goal for psychotherapy and perhaps an innovative indicator of the treatment’s effectiveness.

Time perspective influence on management leadership styles and the mediating role of self-efficacy

We examined if time perspectives (TP) and the Deviation from a Balanced Time Perspective (DBTP—cf. Stolarski et al. Time Soc 20(3):346–363, 2011) have an effect on four types of Leadership Styles. Based on previous studies it was observed, that Self-Efficacy (SE) is determined by time perspectives (Epel et al. J Appl Soc Psychol 29(3):575–596, 1999). In particular, the transformational and transactional leadership styles could depend on higher self-efficacy of managers. We additionally tested if general self-efficacy (GSE) mediates the influence of time perspectives and the Deviation from a Balanced Time Perspective on Leadership Styles. We recruited a sample of former MBA-students, who now work in the middle management of German companies. We used the zimbardo time perspective inventory (ZTPI; Zimbardo and Boyd J Pers Soc Psychol 77(6):1271–1288, 1999), the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) by Felfe and Goihl (Deutsche überarbeitete und ergänzte Version des Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) [German revised and extended version of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ)], Zentrum für Umfragen Methoden und Analysen, Mannheim, 2002) and the general self-efficacy-scale by Schwarzer and Jerusalem (Generalized Self-Efficacy scale, Nfer-Nelson, Windsor, 1995). Past Positive orientation has no significant effect on any of the four leadership styles. The present hedonistic dimension enhances and the past negative orientation reduces the transformational leadership style. The present fatalistic orientation reduces the Transformational and transactional leadership styles, but enhances the laissez-faire leadership style. Moreover, future enhances the transformational and transactional leadership styles. DBTP reduces the transformational and transactional leadership styles. The mediator role of GSE was confirmed for the transformational and transactional leadership style. Managers’ time perspectives are important for implementing an efficient leadership style.