An Italian translation and validation of the Consideration of Future Consequences-14 Scale

Research on intertemporal decision-making has often used Strathman, Gleicher, Boninger, and Edwards's (1994) 12-item consideration of future consequences scale, or the CFC-14 scale (Joireman, Shaffer, Balliet, & Strathman, 2012). The present studies examined the measurement properties of an Italian CFC-14 scale, and the utility of distinguishing between its two subscales (consideration of future and consideration of immediate consequences). In Study 1 (N = 832 adolescents, 964 adults), exploratory factor analyses suggested two factors and confirmatory factor analyses indicated the two-correlated factors and bi-factor models fit the data well. Study 2 (N = 152 undergraduates) assessed the relationship between the two scales with Zimbardo and Boyd's time perspective inventory and revealed a high 8-week test-retest reliability (> 0.74). Study 3 (N = 432 adolescents) revealed CFC-Immediate scores did not differ as a function of age, whereas CFC-Future scores were higher among adolescents 16 and older. Study 4 (N = 235 adolescents, 235 adults) revealed that adolescents and adults did not differ on CFC-Immediate, but adults scored significantly higher than adolescents on CFC-Future. Results support the validity of the Italian CFC-14, and provide insight into the developmental trajectory of time orientation, wherein adolescents and adults differ in concern with future (but not immediate) orientation.