Positive perception of time and its association with successful ageing / Percepción positiva del tiempo y su relación con el envejecimiento exitoso

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between perception of time and indicators of successful ageing. The study evaluated preference in temporal orientation, perception of speed of the passage of time and a wide range of psychosocial well-being and health indicators. The sample consisted of 1,178 people aged over 60 years from the ELES longitudinal study, which was representative of the Spanish population. Results showed that: (a) the majority of people of all ages are oriented to the present, although as they become older there is a shift towards the past; (b) orientation to the present implies higher levels of well-being and health, as opposed to orientation to the past; and (c) a perception of a faster passage of time is associated with well-being. In conclusion, the way in which older people perceive time is an indicator of adaptation, well-being and health.