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Neurological Sciences
Published in: Neurological Sciences 2/2020

01-02-2020 | Mood Disorders | Original Article

The (fatalistic) present as experienced by individuals with Alzheimer’s disease: a preliminary study

Authors: Mohamad El Haj, Dimitrios Kapogiannis, Pascal Antoine

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 2/2020

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Abstract

Background

The “time perspectives theory” describes how individuals emphasize some time frames over others (e.g., present vs. future) and thus create their unique approach to time perception. Building on this theory, we investigated three time orientations in Alzheimer’s disease (AD): (1) present-hedonistic orientation, which focuses on current sensations and pleasures without considering the future, (2) present-fatalistic orientation, characterized by a bias of hopelessness and helplessness toward the future, and (3) future orientation, which focuses on achieving personal goals and future consequences of present actions.

Methods

Participants with mild AD (n = 30) and controls (n = 33) were assessed with a questionnaire regarding time perspectives and a questionnaire of depression.

Results

Results demonstrated low future orientation and high present-fatalistic orientation in AD participants, whereas older adults demonstrated the reverse pattern. Depression positively correlated with fatalistic-present orientation, but negatively correlated with hedonistic-present and future orientations.

Discussion

Although our findings are preliminary and the sample size is small, depression in mild AD seems to be related with a fatalistic orientation toward the present, as well as a hopeless and helpless perspective on the future, an orientation that results in little desire to enjoy the present.
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Metadata
Title
The (fatalistic) present as experienced by individuals with Alzheimer’s disease: a preliminary study
Authors
Mohamad El Haj
Dimitrios Kapogiannis
Pascal Antoine
Publication date
01-02-2020
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Neurological Sciences / Issue 2/2020
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-019-04121-w

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