The relationship between time perspective and life satisfaction: career adaptability as an intermediate variable¹

The purpose of the study was to test the applicability of the “Time Perspective Scale” for the emerging adult population in China. Participants were 725 young adults. The instruments included the “Time Perspective Scale”, “Life Satisfaction Scale” and “Career Adaptability Scale”. The results indicated: (1) The results of confirmatory factor analysis supported the four-factor structure of time perspective scale: future positive, future negative, adventure stimulus and fatalistic enjoyment; (2) Each dimension of time perspective was significantly correlated with the dimensions of career adaptability and life satisfaction; (3) Career adaptability were found to play a mediating role between time perspective and life satisfaction. Discussion and suggestions for future research were also provided.