Abstract
Abstract In recent decades, scholarly interest in future orientation has expanded significantly, particularly concerning adolescent development. Despite this growing body of research, many studies lack theoretical transparency, with some failing to explicitly identify the conceptual frameworks guiding their work. This limitation can hinder the interpretation, comparability, and cumulative value of research findings. The present scoping review aims to systematically map and critically analyze the theoretical perspectives employed in empirical studies and theoretical studies on adolescent future orientation, offering new insights into their conceptual foundations. The review followed PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews and included a comprehensive search across seven major databases: Scopus, Web of Science, Taylor & Francis, ProQuest, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, and Emerald. Inclusion criteria required that studies be empirical, focus on adolescent populations, and explicitly apply a theoretical framework related to future orientation. From an initial pool of 1157 records, ten studies met the eligibility criteria. The analysis identified eight core theoretical perspectives: cognitive theory, social cognitive theory, expectancy-value theory, bioecological/developmental systems theory, Positive Youth Development (PYD), biopsychological approaches, risk and resilience frameworks, and sociological perspectives. These frameworks reflect diverse emphases on individual, motivational, social, and ecological dimensions of future-oriented thinking. The findings underscore a persistent gap in theoretical articulation within the field and call for more consistent and integrative use of theory to enhance conceptual clarity and methodological rigor in future research.