Future time perspective and health behaviors: Temporal framing of self-regulatory processes in physical exercise and dietary behaviors

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. © The Society of Behavioral Medicine 2011.