Background
How prospection, future oriented thinking, affects psychopathologies is an increasing question faced in clinical research. However, a validated measurement which distinct unconstructive future thoughts (e.g. worry) with prospection as a constructive process to achieve imagined desired outcomes is still absent. First evidence for a promising tool for measuring constructive future-focused thinking was provided with the Pragmatic Prospective Scale (PPS). The survey has 18 items and four dimensions including imagining outcome, setting sensible goals, making a plan and flexible execution.
Hypotheses/Research Questions
We aim to support the research by evaluating the underlying proposed structure of the authors in a german speaking population and develope a German version of the PPS for scientific use.
Sample Characteristics and Sample Size
To pursue our aim, we asked 749 native speakers between the age of 18 to 65 years to complete the PPS.
Design
Correlational study.
Results
An exploratory factor analysis was undertaken to identify the factor structure of the PPS and the internal consistence of the subscales were investigated. We also correlated the subscales with psychopathologies, life orientation, wellbeing and goal persuasion. The results of the exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor model providing further evidence supporting the suggested structure of the authors. However, the second item of the survey loaded on two factors indistinguishably. Cronbach's alpha reliability estimates exceeded the critical values on all subscales ranging from .77 to .81. Correlation with psychopathologies resulted in negative relationships with all four subscales whereas an optimistic life orientation, wellbeing and goal persuasion correlated positive.
Scientific Contribution
With adjustments on the itemset, our findings support the structure of the Pragmatic Prospective Scale and shows first promising relationships to clinically relevant variables. Studies providing confirmatory analysis and evidence of the uniqueness of the scale compared to other future oriented measurements is highly recommended.