Time perspective and psychosocial positive functioning among Italian adolescents who binge eat and drink

Evidence of an association between binge eating and binge drinking and of related health consequences have stimulated investigators to examine and explore risk and protective factors plus the reasons why individuals engage in these risky behaviours (Benjamin & Wulfert, 2003; Ferriter & Ray, 2011). This study examined the relationship between binge drinking and eating, time perspective and psychological functioning. A cross-sectional survey of 1350 17–19 year-old adolescents was conducted. Findings suggested that adolescents engaged in both binge eating and binge drinking behaviours reported negative experiences in the past, and they showed a lower future orientation and a greater inclination to fatalism than did the other students Additionally, they were more likely to report lower feelings of satisfaction with life and self-esteem than the others. The pattern of results allows to conclude that time perspective may be a salient dimension when exploring the psychosocial correlates of binge behaviours, particularly within adolescents.

► This study examines the relationship between the co-occurrence of “binge” and time perspective.
► We examine differences in time perspective and positive functioning among adolescents.
► We find that binge groups will be more likely to report negative past than others.
► We find that binge groups show lower future orientation than no binge group.
► We conclude that time perspectives' recognition prevent problematic outcomes in adolescence.