Time to flourish: the relationship of temporal perspective to well-being and wisdom across adulthood

¹Parts of this study were presented at the 64th Annual Gerontological Society of America's Scientific Meeting, Boston, 18–22 November 2011.

Abstract

Objectives: Despite the centrality of time to the aging process, the well-being consequences of different temporal orientations for optimal aging are poorly understood. We investigate one underexamined area of temporal orientation, namely a balanced time perspective, in a large, lifespan sample from the Netherlands.

Method: Participants consisted of 512 Dutch adults ranging in age from 17 to 92 years (M_age = 46.46, SD = 21.37), including 186 male and 326 females. Participants completed a measure of balanced time perspective, mental health, and wisdom.

Results: Results indicated that a balanced time perspective uniquely predicted both mental health and wisdom even after controlling for demographic, physical health, and personality variables. Younger adults tended to be more future-oriented relative to older adults while older adults tended to be more past-oriented relative to younger adults. Further, both midlife and younger adults were more likely to have a balanced time perspective relative to older adults.

Conclusion: A balanced time perspective is associated with higher well-being and wisdom across the adult age span.

Keywords:

• Balanced Time Perspective Scale
• psychological well-being
• reminiscence
• future time perspective
• Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale

Notes

¹ Parts of this study were presented at the 64th Annual Gerontological Society of America's Scientific Meeting, Boston, 18–22 November 2011.