Testing a German version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI)

Abstract

The present study assesses the psychometric properties of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) in a German sample of N = 160 individuals. The five subscales (PastNegative, Present-Hedonistic, Future, Past-Positive, and Present-Fatalistic) measure different dimensions of the Time Perspective. The German version of the ZTPI proves to be internally consistent and reliable in retests, except for the Future Scale. Retest reliability for a subsample (N = 25) indicates a stable measurement of the scales. The Zimbardo and Boyd’s (1999) factor structure could not be replicated satisfactory. Correlations with conceptually related tests (IPC, HAKEMP, and HEIPI) indicate a fair degree of construct validity within the framework of classical test theory. The fit according to a Rasch model was not successful.