The Relationship of Individual Time Perspective and Recreation Experience Preferences

Abstract

Time perspective, as measured with the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), has been conceptualized as an individual differences variable which functions similar to personality. Psychological research has linked time perspective to many attitudes and behaviors including health behaviors, time spent with family and friends, and career decisions. Previous leisure research has linked personality and recreation experience preferences. In this study we build on investigations of time perspective by testing hypotheses about the relationship between time perspective and recreation experience preferences. Using results from a self-administered mail questionnaire, hypotheses about the benefits sought by adults with different time perspectives are tested. Among study respondents, time perspective had a significant relationship with all six benefit domains under investigation. Thus, findings expand the range of known individual attributes correlated with recreation preferences. Moreover, this study provides a starting point for the use of time perspective in leisure research.

KEYWORDS:

• Time perspective
• recreation experience preference
• benefits
• psychology of leisure