Transdiagnostic and symptom‐domain associations between mental illnesses and future self‐connectedness versus future self‐valence

Abstract Background Future time perspective dimensions have been linked to various mental illnesses. Given the tendency for mental illnesses to co‐occur, it is necessary to disentangle associations between future‐oriented constructs and shared versus symptom‐domain‐specific psychopathology. Methods After conducting a factor analysis to establish an optimal factor structure of the psychopathology data from Wave 8 of the Zurich Project on Social Development from Childhood to Adulthood study ( N = 1180; M age ≈ 20), this study examined the associations between mental illness dimensions and two future time perspective components: future self‐connectedness and future self‐valence. Results An S‐1 bifactor specification was selected for primary interpretation. Both future time perspective components were negatively associated with internalising, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psychosis‐like dimensions, and substance use, alongside a S‐1 aggression factor. Conclusion These findings suggest transdiagnostic relevance of self‐connectedness and future self‐valence but should be considered preliminary given single‐item measurement and limited construct coverage. Replication with more comprehensive measures is warranted.