Time perspective, depression, and substance misuse among the homeless

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Homelessness is a complex social issue with significant psychological impacts.
• Understanding the temporal perspectives of homeless individuals is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the time perspectives of homeless individuals compared to a control group.
• To examine the relationship between time perspective, depression, and substance misuse in the homeless population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) to assess temporal orientation.
• Compared ZTPI scores, depression levels, and substance misuse rates between homeless individuals and a control group.

Main Results:

• Homeless individuals exhibited more negative past and present perspectives (high Past-Negative, Present-Fatalistic; low Past-Positive).
• No significant differences were found in Present-Hedonism or Future thinking between groups.
• Higher depression rates (62%) were observed in the homeless group, independent of time perspective.
• No significant correlation between substance misuse and time perspective was identified.

Conclusions:

• Despite challenges, homeless individuals retain a capacity for future-oriented thinking and goal striving.
• Time perspective, while skewed negatively in the past/present, does not fully explain depression in this population.
• Interventions should acknowledge and leverage this future orientation despite current adversities.