The Future Orientation Scale of the Time Perspective Survey (child version) assesses the extent to which school-aged children have the ability or inclination to focus their attention on the future, as opposed to focusing on the past or present moments. This inclination may be related to an individual’s decisions regarding eating or other health behaviors. Children are asked to respond with how well each statement describes what they believe on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (“Very Untrue”) to 5 (“Very True”). There are 13 total items (e.g., “Finishing homework and doing other jobs at home comes before play”, “I make lists of things to do.”) This scale was modified from the original measure that was developed for adults.
Identified |
The Future Orientation Scale of the Time Perspective Survey (child version) measures the extent to which children focus their attention on the future instead of the past or present. It is closely based on a scale originally developed for measuring the same construct in adults (Zimbardo & Boyd, 1999) and modified by Barnett for use with adolescents (Barnett, Spruijt-Metz, Unger, Rohrbach, Sun, & Sussman, 2013). This more recent scale was then further adapted for a population of school-aged children by Alison Miller and colleagues. Understanding how children think about time is relevant to self-regulation, and could shed light on goal pursuit as it relates to behavior and behavior change. It is known in adults that future orientation relates to planning and healthful behaviors (e.g., breast cancer screenings; see Zimbardo & Boyd, 1999). Research is needed to assess whether future orientation may be a mechanism of behavior change (e.g., eating habits) in children. |
BarnettSpruijtMetz2013_TimePerspective.pdf TimePerspective.Zimbardo.1999.pdf |
Measured |
Internal consistency reliability is adequate in a study of high-school students (n = 1426; Cronbach’s alpha = .89; Barnett, Spruijt-Metz, Unger, Rohrbach, Sun, & Sussman, 2013). They measured 10 items, seven of which loaded onto one factor to measure Future Time Perspective. For a sample of children, internal consistency reliability for the Future Orientation Scale was a bit lower (n = 97; Cronbach’s alpha = .64; 13 items from the original scale). Alpha improved if item #7 (“I take each day as it is rather than try to plan it out” Reverse-scored) was removed (Cronbach’s alpha = .70). Data regarding test-retest reliability are not yet available. Data regarding convergent and divergent validity are not yet available. [+] DemographicsThe measure has been used in our community sample of low-income children, all 9-11 years of age, about half female, half male. |
BarnettSpruijtMetz2013_TimePerspective.pdf TimePerspective.Zimbardo.1999.pdf |
Influenced |
This measure has not been influenced yet. |
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Validated |
This measure has not been validated yet. |
The Science of Behavior Change (SOBC) program seeks to promote basic research on the initiation, personalization and maintenance of behavior change. By integrating work across disciplines, this effort will lead to an improved understanding of the underlying principles of behavior change. The SOBC program aims to implement a mechanisms-focused, experimental medicine approach to behavior change research and to develop the tools required to implement such an approach. The experimental medicine approach involves: identifying an intervention target, developing measures to permit verification of the target, engaging the target through experimentation or intervention, and testing the degree to which target engagement produces the desired behavior change.
Within the SOBC Measures Repository, researchers have access to measures of mechanistic targets that have been (or are in the processing of being) validated by SOBC Research Network Members and other experts in the field. The SOBC Validation Process includes three important stages of evaluation for each proposed measure: Identification, Measurement, and Influence.
The first stage of validation requires a measure to be Identified within the field; there must be theoretical support for the specific measure of the proposed mechanistic target or potential mechanism of behavior change. This evidence may include references for the proposed measure, or theoretical support for the construct that the proposed measure is intended to assess. The second stage of validation requires demonstration that the level and change in level of the chosen mechanistic target can be Measured with the proposed measure (assay). For example, if the proposed measure is a questionnaire, the score on the measure should indicate the activity of the target process, and it must have strong psychometric properties. The third stage of validation requires demonstration that the measure can be Influenced; there must be evidence that the measured target is malleable and responsive to manipulation. Evidence relating to each stage includes at least one peer-reviewed publication or original data presentation (if no peer-reviewed research is available to support the claim) and is evaluated by SOBC Research Network Members and experts in the field.
Once a measure has gone through these three stages, it will then either be Validated or Not validated according to SOBC Research Network standards. If a measure is Validated, then change in the measured target was reliably associated with Behavior Change. If a measure is Not validated, then change in the measured target was not reliably associated with Behavior Change. Why would we share measures that are not validated? The SOBC Research Network values open, rigorous, and transparent research. Our goal is to make meaningful progress and develop replicable and effective interventions in behavior change science. Therefore, the SOBC sees value in providing other researchers in the field with information regarding measures that work and measures that fall short for specific targets. Further, a measure that is not validated for one target in one population may be validated in another target or population.
Want to learn more? For any questions regarding the SOBC Validation Process or Measures Repository, please email info@scienceofbehaviorchange.org.
Has the mechanism been identified as a potential target for behavior change? This section summarizes theoretical support for the mechanism.
Have the psychometric properties of this measure been assessed? This section includes information such as content validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability.
Has a study manipulation led to change in the mechanism? This section addresses evidence that this measure is modifiable by experimental manipulation or clinical intervention.
Has a change in this mechanism been associated with behavior change? This section addresses empirical evidence that causing change in the measure reliably produces subsequent behavior change.
