The Temporal Focus Scale: Factor structure and association with alcohol use in a sample of Northern Irish school children

Michael T. McKay, Andrew Percy, Andrew J. Goudie, Harry R. Sumnall, Jon C. Cole

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Temporal Focus Scale (TFS) is a 12-item self-report measure of cognitive engagement with the temporal domains of past, present and future. Developed in college student samples, a three-factor structure with adequate reliability and validity was documented in a series of independent studies. We tested the factor structure of the scale in a sample of Northern Irish adolescents and found that our data supported a three factor structure, although there were problems with item 10. Because time perspective measures have been found to relate differentially to various health behaviours, we tested the relations between scores on the TFS and self-reported alcohol use. Results showed that scores on the TFS were not consistent statistical predictors of drinking category in a logistic regression. Results are discussed in terms of scale development, future scale use and the assessment of health-compromising behaviours such as adolescent alcohol consumption.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1361 – 1368
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Adolescence
Volume35
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished online - 15 Jun 2012

Keywords

  • Temporal Focus Scale
  • Adolescent
  • Alcohol

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