Time Perspective, Impulsiveness, and the Perception of Waiting Time: the Mediating Role of Boredom

Abstract Based on the paradigm of previous waiting-time studies (Jokic et al., 2018; Witowska et al., 2020), participants in our study (n = 133) were left alone in an empty room for 7.5 minutes and subsequently asked to report on their perceptions of time and subjective experiences during the waiting period. Participants completed personality questionnaires assessing the constructs of impulsiveness (UPPS-P), time perspective (CFC-14), and mindfulness (FMI). Consistent with previous research, a faster passage of time was associated with reduced attention to time, lower arousal and boredom levels, and more relaxation and positive affect. Mediation analyses revealed that, among all subjective experiences, boredom was the only significant predictor mediating the effect of personality traits on the perceived passage of time. Specifically, individuals (a) prone to rash actions under intense positive affect and (b) who prioritize immediate outcomes over distant future consequences of their actions tended to experience more boredom while waiting, which in turn led to a subjectively slower passage of waiting time. Potential explanations and directions for further research are discussed.