Student teachers’ future time perspective and teacher identity: A longitudinal study about students who will become primary school teachers

Abstract

This three-wave study examined associations between a motivational construct future time perspective (FTP) and teachers’ identity (TI) in a sample of Dutch student teachers (N = 368). Additionally, gender and educational level were included as factors affecting FTP and TI. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models indicated that FTP and TI were moderately and positively correlated at the between-person level. At the within-person level, positive cross-lagged effects from wave 2 FTP on wave 3 TI were uncovered. Male student teachers and those that are academically educated reported weaker FTP and TI relations compared to their counterparts. Implications for practice are discussed.