A new measure of time perspective: Initial psychometric findings for the Balanced Time Perspective Scale (BTPS).

Abstract

The development and initial validation of a new scale of balanced time perspective is reported. A balanced time perspective is defined here as a frequent and equal tendency to think about both one’s past and future in positive ways. Sixty-seven men and 79 women ranging in age from 18–46 years (M 21.3, SD 4.42) completed the Balanced Time Perspective Scale (BTPS) and measures of happiness, well-being, self-esteem, and two subscales of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory. Principal components analysis (PCA) of the BTPS resulted in a Past orientation (14 items, .88) and a Future orientation (14 items, .92). Persons scoring below the median on both the Past and Future formed the time restrictive category; persons below the median on the Past but above the median on the Future formed the futurist category; persons below the median on the Future but above the median on the Past formed the reminiscers category; persons above the median on both the Past and Future formed the time expansive (i.e., balanced) category. As predicted, persons in the time expansive category scored higher on happiness, well-being, and self-esteem.