Published in:
01-04-2012 | Original Article
Future Time Perspective and Health Behaviors: Temporal Framing of Self-Regulatory Processes in Physical Exercise and Dietary Behaviors
Authors:
Paul Gellert, Jochen P. Ziegelmann, Ph.D., Sonia Lippke, Ph.D., Ralf Schwarzer, Ph.D.
Published in:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine
|
Issue 2/2012
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Abstract
Background
Limitations in perceived lifetime can undermine long-term goal striving. Planning is supposed to translate intentions into health behaviors and to operate as a compensatory strategy to overcome goal striving deficits associated with a limited time perspective.
Purpose
Two longitudinal studies were conducted examining the compensatory role of planning: an online survey on fruit and vegetable consumption (N = 909; 16–78 years; follow-up at 4 months) and a questionnaire study on physical exercise in older adults (N = 289; 60–95 years, over a half-year period).
Methods
Intentions, planning, and behavior were measured in a behavior-specific, future time perspective in a generic manner.
Results
Planning mediated between intentions and both health behaviors. Time perspective operated as a moderator, indicating that in individuals with a more limited time perspective, a stronger effect of planning on health behaviors emerged.
Conclusions
Planning as a self-regulatory strategy may compensate for a limited time perspective.