The Meaning of Temporal Balance: Does Meaning in Life Mediate the Relationship Between a Balanced Time Perspective and Mental Health?

The construct of a Balanced Time Perspective (BTP) predicts a variety of indices of mental health and well-being. We argue that one possible intermediate link between BTP and well-being may be an individual’s sense of presence of meaning in life. Participants ranging in age from 19 to 88 years (N = 192) completed two measures of time perspective (Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory [ZTPI] and the modified Balanced Time Perspective Scale [mBTPS]), mental health, personality, and meaning in life. Correlational results showed that a BTP, mental health, and meaning in life were positively interrelated. Hierarchical regression models showed that a BTP (as measured with the mBTPS) explained additional variance in mental health beyond demographic, personality, and ZTPI scores. Mediation analyses showed that meaning served as a significant indirect link between BTP and well-being

Mind the balance, be contented: Balanced time perspective mediates the relationship between mindfulness and life

a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Both mindfulness and Balanced Time Perspective (BTP) are well confirmed and robust predictors of various aspects of well-being. In the present paper we argue that BTP may be considered one of the potential links between mindfulness and life satisfaction. We collected data from three samples, applying three different measures of mindfulness, as well as the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. BTP was calculated using the Deviation from a Balanced Time Perspective index. Results have shown that BTP might mediate the relationship between mindfulness and life satisfaction. This effect was replicable across all three samples and for each of the mindfulness measures, however the causal relation between these constructs must be further examined in future studies. The results shed new light on the bases of BTP as well as mindfulness

Flourishing in the now: Initial validation of a present-eudaimonic time perspective scale

Introduction: A positive focus on the present, the only time zone which we experience directly and permanently, is at least as relevant as perspectives on the past and future in a balanced time perspective and its relation to wellbeing. Yet, few instruments examining a positive present time perspective exist. Two present-directed concepts, mindfulness and flow, that are intrinsically linked to mental wellbeing were analyzed and used to formulate a present-eudaimonic scale that complements the past and future scales of the balanced time perspective scale. The present study addresses the psychometric properties of the present-eudaimonic scale and the modified balanced time perspective scale. Method: 131 participants filled out the present-eudaimonic scale, the balanced time perspective scale, the Zimbardo time perspective inventory, the five facet mindfulness questionnaire – short form, the Swedish flow proneness questionnaire and the mental health continuum – short form. Balanced time perspective was operationalized using the deviation from a balanced time perspective coefficient. Results: The present-eudaimonic scale showed good psychometric properties including internal consistency, factor structure, and convergent validity. The present-eudaimonic scale explained an additional eleven percent of variance in mental health beyond the other time perspective scales. Balanced time perspective as measured with the modified balanced time perspective scale correlated significantly stronger with mental health than balanced time perspective measured with the Zimbardo time perspective inventory. Conclusions: The present-eudaimonic scale fills a gap in the assessment of time perspective and the modified balanced time perspective scale is a promising way to study balanced time perspective