Time perspective and depressive symptoms: mediating role of chronotype

Time perspective has been associated with indicators of well-being and mental health, including depressive symptoms. Chronotype has also been linked to depressive symptoms. Research consistently shows associations between a future orientation and morningness, likely because future orientation fosters planning for next-day activities, thereby promoting alignment with daily schedules dictated by social obligations. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of chronotype in the relationship between time perspective and depressive symptoms. A sample of adults completed self-report measures assessing time perspective, chronotype, and depressive symptoms. Analyses revealed that higher levels of depressive symptoms were associated with greater eveningness, a more negative view of the past, a less positive view of the past, a more fatalistic present perspective, a lower future orientation, and a less balanced time perspective profile. Furthermore, eveningness was linked to lower future and lower past positive orientations and to less balanced time perspective. Mediation analyses indicated that the associations between lower future and lower past positive dimensions with depressive symptoms were partly mediated by eveningness. These findings may help to elucidate the mechanisms through which certain psychological traits contribute to the development of depressive symptoms—particularly those traits that also influence sleep–wake behavior.