Time perspective and gambling behavior: A systematic review of temporal influences on risk, cognition, and decision-making

Background Time Perspective (TP) has emerged as a relevant construct for understanding decision-making processes underlying gambling behavior. Objective This systematic review synthesized empirical evidence examining associations between TP and gambling-related outcomes. Data sources Searches were conducted across six databases (e.g., PsycINFO, MEDLINE) and supplemented with Google Scholar. Eligibility criteria Quantitative and mixed-method studies published post-1994 assessing TP and gambling in adolescent or adult populations were included. Study selection 49 studies were identified across all databases, which were then screened. After removing two duplicate studies, 18 additional studies were excluded. Participants/design 29 observational and experimental studies involving community, student, and clinical samples were reviewed. Appraisal/synthesis Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool; narrative synthesis was conducted. Results Past Negative, Present Hedonistic, and Present Fatalistic TPs were consistently associated with greater gambling frequency, severity, and risk-taking, whereas Future TP was generally protective. Limitations Evidence was predominantly cross-sectional and relied on convenience samples, limiting causal inference and generalizability. Conclusions TP provides a distinct framework for understanding gambling vulnerability through temporal organization of cognition and preference for immediate rewards. Implications Findings support integrating TP into theoretical models and highlight the need for longitudinal and intervention research targeting temporal processes in gambling.