Skip to content
Licensed Unlicensed Requires Authentication Published by De Gruyter February 13, 2014

Future orientation: a construct with implications for adolescent health and wellbeing

  • Sarah R. Lindstrom Johnson EMAIL logo , Robert W. Blum and Tina L. Cheng

Abstract

Multidisciplinary research has supported a relationship between adolescent future orientation (the ability to set future goals and plans) and positive adolescent health and development outcomes. Many preventive strategies – for example, contracepting, exercising – are based on taking actions in the present to avoid unwanted or negative future consequences. However, research has been hampered by unclear and often divergent conceptualizations of the future orientation construct. The present paper aims to integrate previous conceptual and operational definitions into a conceptual framework that can inform programs and services for youth and efforts to evaluate future orientation as a target for intervention. Recommendations focus on furthering the study of the construct through measurement synthesis as well as studies of the normative development of future orientation. Also suggested is the need to pair environmental intervention strategies with individual level efforts to improve future orientation in order to maximize benefits.


Corresponding author: Sarah R. Lindstrom Johnson, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 200 North Wolfe Street, Room 2073, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA, Phone: +1-410-614-3864, Fax: +1-410-502-5440, E-mail:

References

1. DiClemente RJ, Santelli JS, Crosby RA, editors. Adolescent health: understanding and preventing risk behaviors. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2009.Search in Google Scholar

2. Fischhoff B. Assessing adolescent decision-making competence. Dev Rev 2008;28:12–28.10.1016/j.dr.2007.08.001Search in Google Scholar

3. Steinberg L. A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Dev Rev 2008;28:78–106.10.1016/j.dr.2007.08.002Search in Google Scholar

4. Seginer R. Future orientation: developmental and ecological perspective. New York: Springer, 2009.10.1007/b106810Search in Google Scholar

5. Erickson EH. Identity: youth and crisis. New York: Norton, 1968.Search in Google Scholar

6. Piaget J. The child’s conception of time. New York: Ballantine Books, 1971.Search in Google Scholar

7. Wigfield A, Eccles JS. Expectancy-value theory of achievement motivation. Contemp Educ Psychol 2000;25:68–81.10.1006/ceps.1999.1015Search in Google Scholar

8. Borowsky IW, Ireland M, Resnick MD. Health status and behavioral outcomes for youth who anticipate a high likelihood of early death. Pediatrics 2009;124:81–8.10.1542/peds.2008-3425Search in Google Scholar

9. Gushue GV, Scanlan KLR, Pantzer KM, Clarke CP. The relationship of career decision-making self-efficacy, vocational identity, and career exploration behavior in African-American high school students. J Career Dev 2006;33:19–28.10.1177/0894845305283004Search in Google Scholar

10. Ostaszewski K, Zimmerman MA. The effects of cumulative risk and promotive factors on urban adolescent alcohol and other drug use: a longitudinal study of resiliency. Am J Community Psychol 2006;38:237–49.10.1007/s10464-006-9076-xSearch in Google Scholar

11. Schmiege SJ, Feldstein Ewing SW, Hendershot CS, Bryan AD. Positive outlook as a moderator of the effectiveness of an HIV/STI intervention with adolescents in detention. Health Educ Res 2011;26:432–42.10.1093/her/cyq060Search in Google Scholar

12. Nurmi J. How do adolescents see their future? A review of the development of future orientation and planning. Dev Rev 1991;11:1–59.10.1016/0273-2297(91)90002-6Search in Google Scholar

13. Steinberg L, O’Brien L, Cauffmen E, Graham S, Woolard J, et al. Age differences in future orientation and delay discounting. Child Dev 2009;80:28–44.10.1111/j.1467-8624.2008.01244.xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed

14. Kerpelman JL, Mosher LS. Rural African American adolescents’ future orientation: the importance of self-efficacy, control, and responsibility and identity development. Identity 2004;4: 187–208.10.1207/s1532706xid0402_5Search in Google Scholar

15. Seginer R, Halabi-Kheir H. Adolescent passage to adulthood: future orientation in the context of culture, age, and gender. Int J Intercult Rel 1998;22:309–28.10.1016/S0147-1767(98)00010-8Search in Google Scholar

16. Romer D, Duckworth AL, Sznitman S, Park S. Can adolescents learn self-control? Delay of gratification in the development of control over risk-taking. Prev Sci 2010;11:319–30.10.1007/s11121-010-0171-8Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

17. Kerpelman JL, Eryigit S, Stephens CJ. African American adolescent’s future education orientation: associations with self-efficacy, ethnic identity and perceived parental support. J Youth Adolesc 2008;37:997–1008.10.1007/s10964-007-9201-7Search in Google Scholar

18. Nguyen QC, Hussey JM, Halper CT, Villaveces A, Marshall SW, et al. Adolescent expectations of early death predict adult socio-economic status. Soc Sci Med 2012;74:1452–60.10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.01.006Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

19. Guthrie LC, Butler SC, Ward MW. Time perspective and socio-economic status: a link to socioeconomic disparities in health. Soc Sci Med 2009;68:2145–51.10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.04.004Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

20. Jamieson PE, Romer D. Unrealistic fatalism in U.S. youth ages 14–22: prevalence and characteristics. J Adolescent Health 2008;42:154–60.10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.07.010Search in Google Scholar PubMed

21. Davis M, Niebes-Davis AJ. Ethnic differences and influences of perceived future certainty on adolescent and young adult sexual health knowledge and attitudes. Health Risk Soc 2010;12:149.10.1080/13698571003632452Search in Google Scholar

22. Kao G, Tienda M. Educational aspirations of youth. Am J Educ 1998;106:349–84.10.1086/444188Search in Google Scholar

23. Seginer R, Vermulst A, Shoyer S. The indirect link between perceived parenting and adolescent future orientation: a multiple-step model. Int J Behav Dev 2004;28:365–78.10.1080/01650250444000081Search in Google Scholar

24. Germeijs V, Verschueren K. Adolescents’ career decision-making process: related to quality of attachment to parents. J Res Adolescence 2009;19:459–83.10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00603.xSearch in Google Scholar

25. McCabe K, Barnett D. First comes work, then comes marriage: future orientation among African American young adolescents. Fam Relat 2000;49:63–70.10.1111/j.1741-3729.2000.00063.xSearch in Google Scholar

26. Trommsdorff G. Future orientation and socialization. Int J Psychol 1983;18:381–406.10.1080/00207598308247489Search in Google Scholar

27. Wyman PA, Cowen EL, Work WC, Kerley JH. The role of children’s future expectation in self-system functioning and adjustment to life stress: a prospective study of urban at-risk children. Dev Psychopathol 1993;5:649–61.10.1017/S0954579400006210Search in Google Scholar

28. Adelabu DH. Future time perspective, hope, and ethnic identity among African American adolescents. Urban Educ 2008;43:347–60.10.1177/0042085907311806Search in Google Scholar

29. Marko KW, Savickas ML. Effectiveness of a career time perspective intervention. J Voc Behav 1998;52:106–19.10.1006/jvbe.1996.1566Search in Google Scholar

30. Zimbardo PG, Boyd JN. Putting time in perspective: a valid, reliable individual-differences metric. J Pers Soc Psychol 1999;77:1271–88.10.1037/0022-3514.77.6.1271Search in Google Scholar

31. Snyder CR, Hoza B, Pelham WE, Rapoff M, Ware L, et al. The development and validation of the Childrens’ Hope Scale. J Ped Psychol 1997;22:399–421.10.1093/jpepsy/22.3.399Search in Google Scholar PubMed

32. Jones T, Demore M, Cohen LL, O’Connell C, Jones D. Childhood healthcare experience, healthcare attitudes and optimism as predictors of adolescents’ healthcare behavior. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2008;15:234–40.10.1007/s10880-008-9126-7Search in Google Scholar PubMed

33. Khuller D, Oreskovic NM, Perrin JM, Goodman E. Optimism and the socioeconomic status gradient in adolescent adiposity. J Adolesc Health 2011;49:553–5.10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.04.003Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

34. Patton GC, Tollit MM, Romaniuk H, Spence S, Sheffield J, et al. A prospective study on the effects of optimism on adolescent health risks. Pediatrics 2011;127:308–16.10.1542/peds.2010-0748Search in Google Scholar

35. Dunkel CS, Anthis KS. The role of possible selves in identity formation: a short-term longitudinal study. J Adolesc 2001;24:765–76.10.1006/jado.2001.0433Search in Google Scholar

36. Osyerman D, Bybee D, Terry K. Possible selves and academic outcomes: how and when possible selves impel action. J Pers Soc Psychol 2006;91:188–204.10.1037/0022-3514.91.1.188Search in Google Scholar

37. Ladany N, Melincoff DS, Constantine MG, Love R. At-risk urban high school students commitment to career choices. J Counsel Dev 1997;76:45–76.10.1002/j.1556-6676.1997.tb02375.xSearch in Google Scholar

38. Levinson EM, Ohler DL, Caswell S, Kiewra K. Six approaches to the assessment of career maturity. J Counsel Dev 1998;76: 475–82.10.1002/j.1556-6676.1998.tb02707.xSearch in Google Scholar

39. Duke NN, Skay CL, Pettingell SL, Borowsky IW. Adolescent perception of premature risk for death: contributions from individual and environmental contextual factors. Acad Pediatr 2009;9:256–62.10.1016/j.acap.2009.02.004Search in Google Scholar

40. Fischhoff B, Bruine de Bruin W, Parker AM, Millstein SG, Halpern-Felsher BL. Adolescents’ perceived risk of dying. J Adolesc Health 2009;46:265–9.10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.06.026Search in Google Scholar

41. Bolland JM. Hopelessness and risk behaviour among adolescents living in high-poverty inter-city neighbourhoods. J Adolesc 2003;26:145–58.10.1016/S0140-1971(02)00136-7Search in Google Scholar

42. Kazdin AE, Rodgers A, Colbus D. The hopelessness scale for children: psychometric characteristics and concurrent validity. J Consult Clin Psychol 1986;54:241–5.10.1037/0022-006X.54.2.241Search in Google Scholar

43. Aspy CB, Oman RF, Vesely SK, McLeroy K, Rodine S, et al. Adolescent violence: the protective effects of youth assets. J Counsel Dev 2004;82:268–76.10.1002/j.1556-6678.2004.tb00310.xSearch in Google Scholar

44. Catalano RF, Bergund ML, Ryan JAM, Lonczak HS, Hawkins JD. Positive youth development in the United States: research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. Ann Am Acad Pol Soc Sci 2004;591:98–124.10.1177/0002716203260102Search in Google Scholar

45. Fors SW, Crepaz N, Hayes DM. Key factors that protect against health risks in youth: further evidence. Am J Health Behav 1999;23:368–80.10.5993/AJHB.23.5.6Search in Google Scholar

46. Gloppen KM, David-Ferndon C, Bates J. Confidence as a predictor of sexual and reproductive health outcomes for youth. J Adolesc Health 2010;46:S42–58.10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.11.216Search in Google Scholar

47. Schmid KL, Phelpsk E, Lerner RM. Constructing positive futures: modeling the relationship between adolescents’ hopeful future expectations and intentional self regulation in predicting positive youth development. J Adolesc 2011;34:1127–35.10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.07.009Search in Google Scholar

48. Seginer R. Future orientation in times of threat and challenge: how resilient adolescents construct their future. Int J Behav Dev 2008;32:272–82.10.1177/0165025408090970Search in Google Scholar

49. Schmid KL, Lopez S. Positive pathways to adulthood: the role of hope in adolescents’ constructions of their futures. Adv Child Dev Behav 2011;41:69–88.10.1016/B978-0-12-386492-5.00004-XSearch in Google Scholar

50. Stoddard SA, McMorris MJ, Sieving ME. Do school connections and hope matter in predicting early adolescent violence? Am J Commun Psychol 2011;48:247–56.10.1007/s10464-010-9387-9Search in Google Scholar

51. Valle MF, Huebner S, Suldo SM. Further evaluation of the Children’s Hope Scale. J Psychoeduc Assess 2004;22:320–7.10.1177/073428290402200403Search in Google Scholar

52. Snyder CR, Feldman DB, Taylor JD, Schroeder LL, Adams VH. The roles of hopeful thinking in preventing problems and enhancing strengths. Appl Prev Psychol 2000;9:249–70.10.1016/S0962-1849(00)80003-7Search in Google Scholar

53. Scheier MF, Carver CS. Optimism, coping, and health: assessment and implications of generalized outcome expectancies. Health Psychol 1985;4:219.10.1037/0278-6133.4.3.219Search in Google Scholar

54. Carver CS, Scheier MF, Segerstrom SC. Optimism. Clin Psychol Rev 2010;30:879–89.10.1016/j.cpr.2010.01.006Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

55. Markus H, Nurius P. Possible selves. Am Psychol 1986;41:954.10.1037/0003-066X.41.9.954Search in Google Scholar

56. Vondracek FW. The developmental perspective in vocational psychology. J Vocat Behav 2001;59:252–61.10.1006/jvbe.2001.1831Search in Google Scholar

57. Holland JL, Daiger DC, Power PG. My vocational situation: description of an experimental form for the selection of vocational assistance. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1980.Search in Google Scholar

58. McLloyd VC, Kaplan R, Purtell KM, Huston AL. Assessing the effects of a work-based antipoverty program for parents on youth’s future orientation and employment experiences. Child Dev 2011;82:113–32.10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01544.xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed

59. Purtell KM, McLloyd VC. Parents’ participation in a work-based anti-poverty program can enhance their children’s future orientation: understanding pathways of influence. J Youth Adolesc 2013;42:777–91.10.1007/s10964-012-9802-7Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

60. Stewart SM, Kennard BD, Lee PWH, Mayes T, Huges C, et al. Hopelessness and suicidal ideation among adolescents in two cultures. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2005;46:364–72.10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00364.xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed

61. Glass TA, McAtee NJ. Behavioral science at the crossroads in public health: Extending horizons, envisioning the future. Soc Sci Med 2006;62:1650–71.10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.08.044Search in Google Scholar PubMed

62. Lerner RM. Liberty: thriving and civic engagement among American youth. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2004.Search in Google Scholar

63. Overton WF. Life-span development: concepts and issues. In: Lerner RM, editor. The handbook of adolescent psychology, 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2010:1–28.Search in Google Scholar

64. Bandura A. Social learning theory, 1st ed. New York, NY: General Learning Press, 1977.Search in Google Scholar

65. Buchanan GM, Seligman MEP, editors. Explanatory style. Hillside, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., 1995.Search in Google Scholar

66. Casey BJ, Jones RM, Hare TA. The adolescent brain. Ann NY Acad Sci 2008;2008:111–26.10.1196/annals.1440.010Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

67. Giedd JN. The teen brain: insights from neuroimaging. J Adolesc Health 2008;32:335–43.10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.01.007Search in Google Scholar PubMed

68. Ingels SJ, Burns LJ, Charleston S, Chen X, Cattaldi EF, et al. A profile of the American high school sophomore in 2002 (NCES 2005-338). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, 2005:1–392.Search in Google Scholar

69. Chen P, Vazsonyi AT. Future orientation, school contexts, and problem behavior: a multi-level study. J Youth Adolesc 2013;42:67–81.10.1007/s10964-012-9785-4Search in Google Scholar PubMed

70. Goldrick-Rab S, Harris DN, Benson J, Kelchen R. Conditional cash transfers and college persistence: evidence from a randomized need-based grants program. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2011.Search in Google Scholar

71. Gray CW. A practitioner’s view: invited commentary. J Adolesc 2011;34:1221–3.10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.07.019Search in Google Scholar PubMed

72. U.S. Department of Education. U.S. Department of Education strategic plan for fiscal years 2011–2014. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, 2010.Search in Google Scholar

73. Collegeboard. Average rate of growth of published charges by decade. Available at: http://trends.collegeboard.org/college-pricing/figures-tables/average-rates-growth-tuition-and-fees-over-time. Accessed December 12, 2013.Search in Google Scholar

74. Inside Higher Ed. The old community college try, 2013. Available at: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/07/31/obama-again-proposes-new-monty-job-training-community-colleges. Accessed December 12, 2013.Search in Google Scholar

75. American School Counselor Association. 2007–2008 student to school counselor ratios. Available at: http://www.schoolcounselor.org/files/Ratios2007-2008.pdf. Accessed June 15, 2010.Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2013-10-10
Accepted: 2014-1-4
Published Online: 2014-2-13
Published in Print: 2014-11-1

©2014 by De Gruyter

Downloaded on 26.4.2024 from https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijamh-2013-0333/html
Scroll to top button