A Global Look at Time

TLDR

The ZTPI is a validated, reliable measure of individual differences in time perspective across five temporal categories: Past Negative, Past Positive, Present Fatalistic, Present Hedonistic, and Future. The authors assessed the structural equivalence of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory across 26 samples from 24 countries, comprising 12,200 participants. They evaluated the inventory’s factor structure and item invariance across these samples. The study confirmed invariance for 36 of 56 items and the five‑factor structure across 23 countries, found short ZTPI scales reliable for country‑level analysis, recommended full scales for individual‑level analysis, and highlighted the short version’s potential to promote broader integration of time‑perspective research.

Abstract

In this article, we assess the structural equivalence of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) across 26 samples from 24 countries ( N = 12,200). The ZTPI is proven to be a valid and reliable index of individual differences in time perspective across five temporal categories: Past Negative, Past Positive, Present Fatalistic, Present Hedonistic, and Future. We obtained evidence for invariance of 36 items (out of 56) and also the five-factor structure of ZTPI across 23 countries. The short ZTPI scales are reliable for country-level analysis, whereas we recommend the use of the full scales for individual-level analysis. The short version of ZTPI will further promote integration of research in the time perspective domain in relation to many different psycho-social processes.