Future orientation in young people

The potential of young people

Adolescence is a pivotal phase in human development, marked not only by physical and cognitive changes, but also profound social ones. It’s a period where questions surrounding identity (Erikson, 1968, 1980), educational and vocational paths (Johnson, 2014), life purpose (Bronk, 2014; Damon, 2008), and one’s position in society (Erikson, 1968) come to the fore. Neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, who specialises in the adolescent brain, describes it as a period of vulnerability, with its propensity for excessive risk-taking and the onset of various mental health challenges – depression, addiction, and schizophrenia – yet also a period of immense creativity (2018).

Research indicates that young people from disadvantaged or at-risk backgrounds, in particular, often lack positive future aspirations or well-defined strategies to achieve them (Fieulaine and Apostolidis, 2014; Guthrie et al., 2009; Kerpelman and Mosher, 2004). This lack may stem from a focus on immediate survival rather than long-term prospects, compounded by reduced self-efficacy among disadvantaged or at-risk youth who perceive life events as beyond their control (Johnson, 2014). Moreover, the constraints of poverty further exacerbate these challenges.

The significance of future orientation

Scholars from various fields, including psychology, sociology, and public health, highlight the pivotal role of future orientation in promoting positive health and development outcomes for adolescents, while also serving as a protective shield against adverse outcomes. Young people with a strong future orientation:

• Enjoy improved well-being and mental health, including lower rates of depression and anxiety (Seginer, 2009; So et al., 2016);

• Demonstrate greater resilience, enabling them to navigate obstacles more effectively (Ostaszewski and Zimmerman, 2006);

• Express higher aspirations and attain better educational and employment outcomes (Adelabu, 2008; Anderman et al., 1999; Damon, 2008; Nurmi, 1991; Seginer, 2009); and

• Engage less in risky and antisocial behaviour, such as substance abuse, unsafe sexual practices, and involvement in violence (Aspy et al., 2004; Jackman and MacPhee, 2017; Ostaszewski and Zimmerman, 2006; So et al., 2018; Steinberg, 2008; Stoddard et al., 2011).

Indeed, the absence of positive future expectations may lead youth to disregard the consequences of risky behaviours. Similarly, without belief in a better future, young people may perceive engagement in crime as their only option. Research indicates that youth with a positive future orientation, even those previously in trouble with the law, are less likely to use marijuana, experience fewer alcohol-related problems, and perceive greater risks associated with these behaviours (Robbins and Bryan, 2004). Likewise, a longitudinal study examining the impact of positive future orientation among African American youth found that higher levels of future orientation corresponded to greater declines in violent behaviour (e.g. carrying a knife or engaging in fights) over time, both within and outside school settings (Stoddard et al., 2011).  

Embedding future orientation into youth policies and programmes

Whilst the potential benefits of a robust future orientation for adolescent health and well-being are well-documented, there is a need to integrate and embed it into youth policies and programmes. Interventions that fail to consider an individual’s vision, motivation, and hope for the future are likely to be limited in their effectiveness. Governments, businesses, schools, and charities can create job opportunities, help youth gain skills, and offer support, but unless young people feel a sense of agency over their own futures and can imagine a future worth working towards, these efforts may ultimately fall short.

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