Time Perspective in the Self-regulatory Mechanism of Meaning in Life

The purpose of this article was to investigate the relationship between meaning in life and time perspective among Chinese youngsters. Two studies were conducted. In Study 1, 323 participants were sampled and completed the Presence of Meaning in life Scale, short version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory as well as the Proactive Coping Scale. The results showed that time perspective mediated the relationship between meaning in life and proactive coping. In Study 2, 346 participants were sampled and completed the Meaningful Life Measure, the full Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, the Reappraisal Scale as well as the General Self Efficacy Scale. The results showed that meaning in life predicted time perspective and this relationship was partially mediated by cognitive reappraisal and self-efficacy. The findings demonstrated that time perspective played a role in the self-regulatory mechanism of meaning in life, involving both emotional and motivational processes. Self-regulatory processes in the relationship between meaning in life and time perspective were discussed.