The connection between time perspective and resilience in people with depressive disorders

Introduction. The article is devoted to studying the connection between the time perspective and the hardiness of individuals with depressive disorders. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses worldwide, which significantly reduces the quality of life. One of the insufficiently studied factors related to the severity of depression is the time perspective. A distorted time perspective may be associated with depression and an assessment of past experiences, the current situation, and plans for the future. In this study, we will look at how a balanced time perspective is interconnected with a person's ability to overcome life's obstacles and cope with difficulties. Materials and methods. Analysis of literature on depressive disorders, theoretical studies of time perspective (K. Levin, F. Zimbardo), the concept of hardiness (M. Maddi). The following methods were used as empirical methods: “Depression scale” by A. T. Beck (adapted by N. V. Tarabrina), “Hardiness survey” by S. Maddi (adapted by D. A. Leontiev, E. I. Rasskazova), “Time perspective” by F. Zimbardo (adapted by A. Syrtsova, E. T. Sokolova, O. V. Mitina). For statistical processing, the parametric Student’s t-test of differences, the parametric Pearson correlation test were used, and the statistical program “Jamovi” was used for calculations. Results. A correlation was found between low levels of hardiness, depression, and an unbalanced time perspective. Healthy respondents had higher levels of hardiness and a more balanced time perspective. The data indicate a positive orientation of respondents towards time, manifested in a positive perception of past experiences, enjoyment of the present, and optimistic expectations for the future. Discussion and conclusions. People with depression are characterized by an unbalanced time perspective that distorts their perception of the past, present, and future, as well as low levels of hardiness. Empirical analysis showed that individuals without depression have a more balanced time perspective and higher levels of hardiness indicators, such as involvement, control, and risk acceptance. Individuals without depression had more balanced time perspective indicators and higher levels of hardiness. The study findings suggest that an unbalanced perception of time may reduce hardiness by weakening self-control, motivation, and increasing the risk of depression.