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Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2/2012

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.
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Metadata
Title
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.
Publication date
01-04-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-011-9312-y

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