SPENDING WELL: HOW TIME PERSPECTIVES IMPACT CONSUMER VALUES AND FINANCIAL DECISIONS AMONG MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS

The current research extends the time perspective literature by exploring the relationships between time perspectives and financial outcomes across several adult age groups. In combining various demographically diverse samples, our study includes a total of 9,065 adults that completed some form of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI). We found that people who are Future-oriented tend to have more responsible financial lifestyles. On the other hand, Past-Negative, Present-Hedonism, and Past-Fatalism orientations are associated with more detrimental financial lifestyles. Thus, the greater the deviation from a balanced time perspective middle-aged adults were, the (1) more they reported being materialistic, (2) more impulsive, compulsive, and conspicuous they were when shopping, and (3) less financially secure they felt. Also, our mediation models revealed that increased impulsive buying, compulsive buying, and conspicuous consumption partially mediated the negative relation between Past-Negative and financial security. However, decreased conspicuous consumption partially mediated the positive relation between Future and financial risk tolerance. We discuss potential ways to shape individual time perspectives, the developmental implications for time perspectives, consumer profiles, and well-being, as well as limitations.     

Patterns of Presentation for Attempted Suicide: Analysis of a Cohort of Individuals Who Subsequently Died by Suicide

All suicides and related prior attempts occurring in Northern Ireland over two years were analyzed, focusing on number and timing of attempts, method, and mental health diagnoses. Cases were derived from coroner's records, with 90% subsequently linked to associated general practice records. Of those included, 45% recorded at least one prior attempt (with 59% switching from less to more lethal methods between attempt and suicide). Compared with those recording one attempt, those with 2+  attempts were more likely to have used less lethal methods at the suicide (OR = 2.77: 95% CI = 1.06, 7.23); and those using less lethal methods at the attempts were more likely to persist with these into the suicide (OR = 3.21: 0.79, 13.07). Finally, those with preexisting mental problems were more likely to use less lethal methods in the suicide: severe mental illness (OR = 7.88: 1.58, 39.43); common mental problems (OR = 3.68: 0.83, 16.30); and alcohol/drugs related (OR = 2.02: 0.41, 9.95). This analysis uses readily available data to highlight the persisting use of less lethal methods by visible and vulnerable attempters who eventually complete their suicide. Further analysis of such conditions could allow more effective prevention strategies to be developed.