The validity and reliability of the Zimbardo time perspective inventory in a Turkish sample

The present study evaluated the validity and reliability of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI; Zimbardo & Boyd, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77(6), 1271–1288, 1999) in a Turkish sample. A Turkish version of the ZTPI was administered to participants in Study 1 (n = 554) while another group of participants filled out the ZTPI as well as measures of personality, locus of control, self-esteem, and self-efficacy in Study 2 (n = 234). Test-retest reliability of the ZTPI scores was assessed on the Study 2’s sample (n = 88) over a 2-week period. The Turkish ZTPI demonstrated adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability with minor exceptions. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) supported the five-factor structure of the original scale suggesting that the ZTPI has cross-cultural validity. However, similar to prior adaptation studies, the model fit values ranged from poor to good, suggesting a need for additional research on the psychometric properties of the ZTPI. Finally, the applicability of the deviation from balanced perspective scores was examined and unique relationships were demonstrated: balanced time perspective was associated with high conscientiousness and internal locus of control. Findings are discussed in relation to the time perspective theory, and the recommendations to improve the ZTPI’s structural validity are provided.