Time perception and psychological well-being in the elderly.

Perception of time is a concept that has interested gerontologists for many years, but why "time flies" as the years go by is not well understood. Two hundred and ninety-six institutionalized and community dwelling elderly (X = 75.4 years) were administered a battery of psychological measures to test the relationship between emotional well-being and subjective speed of time. Faster time perceptions were associated with better psychological functioning--less clinical depression, enhanced sense of purpose and control, and "younger" perceived age--while the opposite perception held true for elders with time "on their hands." Time also moved slower for many institutionalized elders. The clinical implications for treating older people in terms of utilizing their time more effectively and meaningfully are discussed.