Associations between Psychosocial Well-being and the Development of Beneficial Time Perspectives

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that some time perspective orientations are more beneficial than others with regard to well-being. However, little is known about the factors affecting the development of these time perspectives. This gap in the research was addressed through two studies. Study 1 (N = 218; M = 29.8 years, SD = 11.45) identified ZTPI past positive (PP) as a beneficial time perspective and past negative (PN) as a detrimental time perspective. Structural equation modelling was then used in Study 2 (N = 443; M = 31.2 years, SD = 13.0) to develop two models of the associations between attachment orientation, basic psychological need satisfaction and PP and PN, respectively. While anxious and avoidant attachment orientation were associated with both PP and PN, the three basic psychological needs were differentially associated. The findings of these studies suggest the importance of early childhood care to the development of beneficial time perspectives.