Psychometric Properties of the Future Time Orientation Scale for the Turkish Population

Description

Various concepts have emerged to describe personal attributes related to individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding the future (Coscioni et al., 2020). This study focuses on future time orientation (FTO), defined as “the personal disposition to have the current psychological functioning impacted by the psychological future” (Coscioni et al., 2023). Those strongly future-oriented are more likely to proactively shape their futures by planning and preparing to achieve their goals. Conversely, individuals less future-oriented may perceive future events as distant, impacting their motivation and behavior. Assessing FTO can assist scientists, educators, and policymakers in developing effective goal-setting strategies, fostering imaginative behavior, and enhancing readiness for future opportunities and challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Future Time Orientation Scale (FTOS) in the Turkish context. Data were collected from 902 Turkish individuals aged 18 to 65 using an online survey platform. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original 2-factor structure of the FTOS, comprising impact and distance subscales. Scalar invariance was established across gender, age, and education groups. Descriptive statistics indicated minimal ceiling or floor effects. Internal consistency was satisfactory for both subscales, although the impact subscale showed slightly lower reliability. Associations with the Carstensen’s Future Time Perspective Scale (C-FTPS) demonstrated weak correlations with the opportunity subscale and non-significant correlations with the limitation subscale. These findings suggest that the FTOS is a reliable
instrument for assessing future time orientation among Turkish individuals, offering insights into future-oriented thinking and decision-making processes in diverse contexts. Further research is warranted to explore its validity and applicability across different populations and cultural settings.

Period	7 Sept 2024
Event title	International School-Based Counseling Policy and Practice Conference
Event type	Conference
Location	Istanbul, TurkeyShow on map