Time perspective, life satisfaction and social comparison orientation in university students

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the predictive power of time perspective for the life satisfaction and social comparison in university students. The participants (n = 441; 321 female and 120 male) are undergraduate students at a state university. The data of the study were collected through the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, The Satisfaction with Life Scale and IOWA-Netherlands Social Comparison Orientation Measure. In order to determine the prediction power of the time perspective for the life satisfaction and social comparison, standard multiple regression analysis was used. According to the finding of this study, while past-positive and future predicted life satisfaction positively, past-negative predicted life satisfaction negatively. However, present-hedonistic and present-fatalistic didn't predict life satisfaction. In addition, while past-negative predicted social comparison orientation negatively, past-positive, present-hedonistic, present-fatalistic and future didn't predict social comparison orientation. According to the finding of this study, while past-positive and future predicted life satisfaction positively, past-negative predicted life satisfaction negatively. However, present-hedonistic and present-fatalistic didn't predict life satisfaction. In addition, while past-negative predicted social comparison orientation negatively, past-positive, present-hedonistic, present-fatalistic and future didn't predict social comparison orientation.