The Predictors of Time Perspectives: A Comparative Study from Cyprus

Abstract

Traumatic events may have long lasting consequences on physical and psychological well-being. Moreover, exposure to traumatic events might have adverse intergenerational consequences. The aim of the present study was to explore individuals’ time perspectives (i.e. how individuals link their behavior to their past, present, and future), and their correlates with vulnerability to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and psychological difficulties on two samples; first a theoretically traumatic group whom their parent had gone missing during the war of Cyprus (N= 50; age range = 49-70) and their first born offspring (N= 50; age range = 26-40); second a theoretically non-traumatic group with no missing parent (N= 50; age range = 46-69) and their first born offspring (N= 50; age range = 20-39). Purposeful sampling technique was used to recruit the participants. Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Impact of Event Scale-Revised and Zimbardo’s Time Perspective Inventory were used as measurement tools. Results of the study revealed that parents’ PTSD symptoms and time perspectives (TP) were associated with their offsprings’. Past-Negative and Present Fatalistic TP significantly predicted PTSD and experienced psychological difficulties. Participants whom had a relative gone missing during the war scored higher on PTSD compared to the participants whom had no missing relative.