A Structural Model of Past Time Perspective and Life Satisfaction: Mediating Roles of Informational and Normative Identity Styles
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Background: Time perspective has been shown to influence psychological well-being, including life satisfaction. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship—particularly the mediating role of identity styles—remain underexplored in young adult populations. This study aimed to examine the direct and indirect effects of past-negative and past-positive time perspectives on life satisfaction among university students, with informational and normative identity styles considered as mediators.
Methods and Materials: A descriptive-correlational study was conducted among 584 university students (aged 23–30; 55.1% female) in Tehran, Iran. Participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling. They completed the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Berzonsky’s Identity Style Inventory (ISI-6G). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with AMOS version 24. Model fit was assessed using standard indices.
Results: The hypothesized model demonstrated an acceptable fit (χ²/df = 2.76, GFI = 0.86, AGFI = 0.84, CFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.05). Past-negative time perspective had a significant negative direct effect on life satisfaction (β= –0.294, p< 0.01), while past-positive had a significant positive direct effect (β= –0.182, p< 0.01). However, neither informational nor normative identity styles significantly mediated these relationships (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Time perspectives significantly predict life satisfaction in young adults, but identity styles do not mediate this relationship. Interventions designed to foster a more positive view of the past may enhance subjective well-being among university populations.
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