Future time orientation and employment of individuals with a spinal cord injury: Does current work status reflect a greater orientation toward the future?

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Martz, Erin

Affiliations: Rehabilitation Counseling Program, Educational School, and Counseling Psychology Department, 4B Hill Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211-2130, USA. Tel.: +1 573 884 2419; Fax: +1 573 884 5989; E-mail: martze@missouri.edu

Abstract: Differences in future time orientation were investigated among 317 individuals with spinal cord injuries according to work status. The results of an analysis of variance indicated a significant difference on future time orientation between individuals with an active community role (full-time or part-time employed, student, or volunteer) versus a non-active community role (unemployed or retired). In a post-hoc analysis of covariance (with depression as the covariate), these differences between work statuses on future time orientation were no longer significant, though a significant main effect by depression was observed. In both analyses, individuals with active community roles had higher future time orientation scores than individuals without active community roles. Suggestions for future research were briefly proposed.

Keywords: time perspectives, unemployment, community roles

Journal: Work, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 257-263, 2003