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

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.