The relation between time perspectives and well-being: A meta-analysis on research

The fist aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the relations between Zimbardo and Boyd’s (1999) time perspectives (past, present, and future) and well-being, comprising both positive components (i.e., life satisfaction, happiness, positive affects) and negative ones (i.e., negative affects, depressive symptoms, anxiety). Further, this study explored whether the relations between time perspectives and well-being depend on the participants’ age and cultural context where the studies were conducted. Nine online databases were searched for articles published between 1999 and October 2018. The pooled analyses were based on random-effects models. The past negative time perspective was negatively linked to positive indicators of well-being and positively related with negative indicators of well-being. Reverse results were found for the past positive time perspective. The present fatalist time perspective was negatively related to all positive indicators of well-being and positively related with the negative ones, whereas a present hedonist time perspective had positive relations with life satisfaction, happiness, and positive affects. The future time perspective was linked to higher levels of positive indicators of well-being and lower levels of negative indicators. Finally, deviation from the balanced time perspective was negatively related to positive indicators of well-being and positively related with negative affects. The participants’ age, cultural context, and methodological characteristics of the studies explained the heterogeneity observed in these relations. Our findings showed that time perspectives have important implications for peoples’ evaluations of their well-being and that the magnitude of the relations between time perspective and well-being may vary due to participants’ age and the cultural context where the studies were conducted. Practical implications for predicting and modifying individuals’ well-being are discussed.