Future time perspective, loneliness, and depressive symptoms among middle-aged adults: A mediation model

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the relevance of subjective time perceptions with regard to depressive symptoms among aging and older adults. Moreover, loneliness was found to bear a strong connection to such symptoms. However, little is known about the connection between the three constructs. Accordingly, the current research examines whether the connection between future time perspective and depressive symptoms is mediated by loneliness. Methods: Data was collected from 1021 participants aged 50–67 (mean age = 57.89), who completed the Future Time Perspective Scale, a scale measuring loneliness, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and provided relevant socio-demographic information. Results: Future time perspective was negatively linked with both loneliness and depressive symptoms. Moreover, loneliness was a significant mediator for the connection between future time perspective and depressive symptoms. Limitations: The study focused on a specific age range, and employed a cross-sectional design. Conclusions: This study provides a view into the manner by which subjective perceptions of time are linked with depressive symptoms during the aging process, and highlights the clinical importance of such perceptions to depressive symptoms.