Time perspective as a predictor of healthy behaviors and disease-mediating states

Abstract

Future orientation has long been hypothesized as a predictor of health-protective behaviors and the prevention of illness. However, we have only recently begun to accumulate compelling empirical evidence in this respect. In this chapter, we review the current state of the literature linking time perspective with behaviors and outcomes in the health domain. In general, studies support the hypothesis that more future-oriented time perspective (and less present orientation) predicts improved enactment of health behaviors; this is especially true of domain-specific time perspective. Importantly, several studies that have examined mediators of the effect suggest that strength of behavioral intention may explain the association between time perspective and these health-related endpoints. Specifically, strong future orientation appears to engender stronger intention to engage in health-protective behaviors, and this in turn drives more consistent enactment. This chapter closes with a discussion of how time perspective may fit into a contemporary model of health behavior (Temporal Self-regulation Theory).