Associations between time perspective, subjective happiness, psychological well-being, and mental health

The moderating role of sociodemographic variables

Bibliographic Data

ID21627002
AuthorsArmanda Gonçalves (0000-0002-5256-7418, Universidade Católica Portuguesa), Inês Ferreira (0000-0002-9037-2961, Universidade Católica Portuguesa), Júlia Cunha (0009-0004-8607-5157, Universidade Católica Portuguesa), Lara Igreja (0009-0009-3643-9289, Universidade Católica Portuguesa), Ângela Leite (0000-0003-0560-1756, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume45
Issue12
Publication date2026-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCurrent Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1046-1310 • E-ISSN: 1936-4733
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s12144-026-09630-4
OpenAlexW7165673794
LanguageEN
References cited37

The relationship between psychological well‐being, mental health, and time perspective remains insufficiently understood. This study examines the associations among these variables and explores whether sociodemographic factors moderate these relationships. A cross‐sectional sample of 428 Portuguese participants completed the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, the Psychological Well‐Being Scale, the Subjective Happiness Scale, and the Mental Health Inventory. Subjective happiness and mental health showed the strongest associations with time perspectives, whereas sociodemographic variables functioned as weak moderators. Specifically, regression analyses indicated that higher subjective happiness was associated with a more positive past perspective and a stronger future orientation, while better mental health was linked to a less negative past perspective and a less fatalistic present view. Although several sociodemographic variables (e.g., gender, education, age) demonstrated statistically significant moderating effects, their practical impact was minimal, with all interaction effect sizes being very small. These findings suggest that the associations between psychological well‐being and time perspective are relatively consistent across demographic groups, with happiness and mental health showing the most robust links. While the cross‐sectional design does not allow causal conclusions, the results highlight meaningful patterns of association and suggest that the strength of the associations between psychological resources and temporal orientations varied across life circumstances - for example, the association between mental health and future orientation was stronger among younger, unmarried individuals in this sample

Happiness · Mental health · Moderation · Portuguese · Subjective well-being · Time perspective · Aging and Gerontology Research · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research