Time perception and time perspective dysfunctions in schizophrenia

Abstract

Time is a multifaceted cognitive construct encompassing both perceptual and attitudinal dimensions. This study aimed to investigate whether individuals with schizophrenia exhibit alterations in explicit and implicit timing abilities, and whether these relate to their time perspective profiles. Participants completed a time bisection task (explicit timing) and a foreperiod task (implicit timing) along with the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI). Patients showed greater variability (reduced precision) in the explicit timing task, with a flatter psychometric curve but no shift in perceived duration. In the implicit timing task, they exhibited a diminished foreperiod effect, suggesting impaired ability to use elapsed time for temporal prediction. Regarding time perspective, patients scored significantly higher on Past Negative, Present Fatalistic, and Present Hedonistic dimensions and had a higher Deviation from Balanced Time Perspective (DBTP). Individuals with schizophrenia thus displayed disruptions in both explicit–implicit and cognitive–affective aspects of time, which were not correlated. These results underscore the importance of integrating timing and time perspective frameworks to better understand temporal dysfunctions in schizophrenia.