Future Self-continuity Research Articles

A future beyond ourselves: Self-oriented prospection predicts increased intergenerational responsibility

Do differences in how people think about their own futures predict responsibility for the collective future welfare of humanity? Across a reanalysis of existing data, four primary studies, six supplemental studies, and an internal meta-analysis (NTotal = 11,261 US participants), we investigate how individual differences in self-oriented prospection relate to intergenerational responsibility, elucidating theoretical and practical implications for the psychologies of future-thinking and intergenerational ethics alike. We consistently observe an association between Future Self-Continuity (FSC; variation in the amount of perceived overlap between people's present and future self-concept) and Consideration of Future Consequences (CFC; individual differences in tendencies to consider how present actions impact one's own future life outcomes) with increased feelings of responsibility for, perceived efficacy to impact, and identification with future generations. Drawing upon insights from behavioral economics, Construal Level Theory, and research on moral expansiveness, our results begin to reconcile the literatures studying the adaptive functions of self-oriented prospection with disparate lines of inquiry into the individual differences that mitigate tendencies to prioritize present over future generations. Moreover, the present findings open new avenues for further research to explore potential practical benefits of self-oriented prospection for bolstering efforts to improve long-term collective welfare.

Connected to the future, life is more meaningful: the effect of future self-continuity on the presence of meaning

Connected to the future, life is more meaningful: the effect of future self-continuity on the presence of meaning

Higher Vocational Students’ Future Self-continuity and Sustainable Entrepreneurial Preparation Behavior in China: The Moderating Effect of Financial Literacy and Belief in a Just World

How to stimulate sustainable entrepreneurship among higher vocational students is ambiguous, and cognition is related to sustainable entrepreneurship. Therefore, based on a sample of 206 Chinese higher vocational students, this paper studies the relationship between Chinese higher vocational students’ future self-continuity and sustainable entrepreneurial preparation behaviors, as well as the facilitating effects of financial literacy and belief in a just world. The results confirm for the first time that Chinese higher vocational students’ future self-continuity is significantly and positively associated with sustainable entrepreneurial preparation behavior, and that financial literacy contributes significantly, while belief in a just world do not contribute. This suggests that Chinese higher vocational students need not only knowledge of their present and future selves but also the link between financial knowledge and skills to be able to adequately contribute to sustainable entrepreneurial preparedness.

Using Identity-Based Motivation to Enhance Future Self-Continuity

Using Identity-Based Motivation to Enhance Future Self-Continuity

The functional connectivity between right insula and anterior cingulate cortex underlying the association between future self-continuity and delay discounting.

Delay discounting refers to the tendency of individuals to devalue future rewards as the delay in their receipt increases over time. Previous studies have indicated that future self-continuity correlates with delay discounting rates. However, the neural basis underlying the relationship between future self-continuity and delay discounting is not clear. To address this question, we used voxel-based morphometry and resting-state functional connectivity analyses to investigate the neural basis underlying the association between future self-continuity and delay discounting. Behavioral result showed that future self-continuity was positively associated with delay discounting. Voxel-based morphometry analysis result indicated that gray matter volume in the right dorsal anterior insula was positively correlated with future self-continuity. Resting-state functional connectivity analysis found that functional connectivity between the right dorsal anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex was positively associated with future self-continuity. Mediation analysis showed that the right dorsal anterior insula-right anterior cingulate cortex functional connectivity partially mediated the relationship between future self-continuity and delay discounting. These results suggested that right dorsal anterior insula-right anterior cingulate cortex functional connectivity could be the neural basis underlying the association between future self-continuity and delay discounting. In summary, the study provided novel insights into how future self-continuity affected delay discounting and offers new explanations from a neural perspective.

Implicit theories of health predict HPV vaccination intention among young adult Chinese women: The mediating effect of consideration of future consequences and future self-continuity.

This study investigated the predicting effect of implicit theories of health on HPV vaccination intention among young adult Chinese women and its underlying mechanisms. Four-hundred and eighty-three young Chinese women adults (18-26 years old) participated this study by completing measures on implicit theories of health, consideration of future consequences, future self-continuity, and reported their HPV vaccination intention. The results demonstrated that age, whether they knew someone being diagnosed with cancer, implicit (incremental) theories of health, consideration of future consequences (CFC-Future), and future self-continuity significantly predicted young adult Chinese women's HPV vaccination intention. The predicting effect of implicit theories of health was mediated by consideration of future consequences and future self-continuity. Implications of the current research for promoting HPV vaccination among young adult women and directions for future research are discussed.

Coping style mediates the longitudinal bidirectional relationship between future self-continuity and negative emotional states

Coping style mediates the longitudinal bidirectional relationship between future self-continuity and negative emotional states

The vmPFC-IPL functional connectivity as the neural basis of future self-continuity impacted procrastination: the mediating role of anticipated positive outcomes

Procrastination is universally acknowledged as a problematic behavior with wide-ranging consequences impacting various facets of individuals’ lives, including academic achievement, social accomplishments, and mental health. Although previous research has indicated that future self-continuity is robustly negatively correlated with procrastination, it remains unknown about the neural mechanisms underlying the impact of future self-continuity on procrastination. To address this issue, we employed a free construction approach to collect individuals’ episodic future thinking (EFT) thoughts regarding specific procrastination tasks. Next, we conducted voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) analysis to explore the neural substrates underlying future self-continuity. Behavior results revealed that future self-continuity was significantly negatively correlated with procrastination, and positively correlated with anticipated positive outcome. The VBM analysis showed a positive association between future self-continuity and gray matter volumes in the right ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Furthermore, the RSFC results indicated that the functional connectivity between the right vmPFC and the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) was positively correlated with future self-continuity. More importantly, the mediation analysis demonstrated that anticipated positive outcome can completely mediate the relationship between the vmPFC-IPL functional connectivity and procrastination. These findings suggested that vmPFC-IPL functional connectivity might prompt anticipated positive outcome about the task and thereby reduce procrastination, which provides a new perspective to understand the relationship between future self-continuity and procrastination.

The relationship between climate change anxiety and pro-environmental behavior in adolescents: the mediating role of future self-continuity and the moderating role of green self-efficacy

BackgroundClimate change is seriously affecting human survival and development, and the anxiety caused by it is becoming increasingly prominent. How to alleviate people’s climate change anxiety, improve the ecological environment, and promote the formation of green lifestyles among people, especially young people, is an important topic that deserves to be explored. This study examined the relationship between climate change anxiety and pro-environmental behaviors and the underlying psychological mechanism in the adolescents.MethodsThis study explored the crucial role of future self-continuity (FSC) between climate change anxiety (CCA) and pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) in adolescents and examined the moderating role of green self-efficacy (GSE). In this study, a total of 1,851 middle and high school students from five schools were selected for questionnaire survey.ResultsThe results showed that (1) in both middle and high school grades, there was a significant negative correlation between climate change anxiety and pro-environmental behaviors; future self-continuity was significantly positively correlated with pro-environmental behaviors; green self-efficacy was negatively correlated with climate change anxiety and positively correlated with pro-environmental behaviors; (2) climate change anxiety negatively predicted pro-environmental behaviors, and compared with middle school grades, high school grade adolescents’ climate change anxiety was significantly predicted pro-environmental behaviors. Future self-continuity mediated the relationship between climate change anxiety and pro-environmental behaviors in both grades. (3) green self-efficacy moderated the second half of the pathway of the mediation model only in middle grades. Specifically in middle school, future self-continuity did not significantly predict pro-environmental behaviors at low green self-efficacy level, but positively predicted pro-environmental behaviors at high green self-efficacy level. In high school, future self-continuity did not significantly predict pro-environmental behaviors in either high or low green self-efficacy level.ConclusionThis study suggests that there is a moderated mediation model between adolescents’ climate change anxiety and pro-environmental behaviors, with different mediating and moderating effects among adolescents in various grades. This is of great significance in alleviating climate anxiety among adolescents and cultivating their pro-environmental behaviors.

Reciprocal longitudinal relations between self-efficacy and coping style: The explanatory mechanism of future self-continuity.

It has been demonstrated that self-efficacy and coping styles are related. However, whether there is a reciprocal longitudinal relation between self-efficacy and coping styles needs to be examined. In this longitudinal study, we tested the reciprocal impacts of self-efficacy and coping styles, taking into account the role of future self-continuity (FSC) in these effects. The sample included 346 university students in central and southwestern China (48.3% female; Mage = 21.20). Three waves of questionnaire data were collected at half-year intervals. Cross-lagged models were adopted for data analysis. Self-efficacy at Waves 1 and 2 positively predicted positive coping style at Waves 2 and 3, and positive coping style at Waves 1 and 2 positively predicted self-efficacy at Waves 2 and 3. Self-efficacy at Waves 1 and 2 negatively predicted negative coping style at Waves 2 and 3, while negative coping style at Waves 1 and 2 did not significantly predict self-efficacy at Waves 2 and 3. These results indicated the reciprocal causation of self-efficacy and coping styles. Additionally, the mediation analysis revealed that FSC at Wave 2 played a mediating role in the unidirectional association between self-efficacy at Wave 1 and negative coping style at Wave 3. These findings suggest that self-efficacy and coping style have mutual influences over time partly explained by university students' FSC. Consequently, the results offer potential applied value for promoting positive coping strategies among university students.

Future self-continuity promotes meaning in life through authenticity

We concerned with the emerging construct “future self-continuity” and its psychological consequences. We hypothesized, in particular, that future self-continuity, the perceived connection between one’s present and future self, is related—correlationally and causally—to meaning in life via authenticity, the subjective alignment with one’s true self. We tested and supported this hypothesis in three studies using measurement-of-mediation and experimental-causal-chain designs. At the trait level, future self-continuity was positively associated with meaning in life through authenticity (Study 1; N = 255). Experimentally induced high (vs. low) future self-continuity increased meaning in life via authenticity (Study 2; N = 177). Finally, experimentally induced authenticity (vs. controls) augmented meaning in life (Study 3; N = 369). Future self-continuity has implications for psychological well-being.

The effect of future self-continuity on intertemporal decision making: a mediated moderating model.

Intertemporal decision making refers to the behavior of making decisions after weighing the costs and benefits of two or more outcomes at different time points. This study explores the moderating effect of self-concept clarity on the influence of future self-continuity on intertemporal decision-making and the mediating effect of future outcome consideration, aiming to establish a mediated moderating model. In Study 1, we recruited 370 participants via questionnaire to explore the relationship between future self-continuity and intertemporal decision-making, as well as the moderating effect of self-concept clarity. The results showed that: (1) Future self-continuity significantly negatively predicted the time discount rate of intertemporal decision-making. (2) Self-concept clarity significantly negatively moderated the relationship between future self-continuity and the time discount rate of intertemporal decision-making. In Study 2, we recruited 234 participants using an experimental method and divided them into high and low future self-continuity groups to explore the mediating effect of future outcome consideration and the moderating role of self-concept clarity in the influence of future self-continuity on intertemporal decision-making. The results indicated that: (1) Self-concept clarity significantly negatively moderated the impact of future self-continuity on future outcome consideration. (2) Future outcome consideration mediated the moderating effect of self-concept clarity on the influence of future self-continuity on intertemporal decision-making. The findings indicated that future self-continuity negatively impacted the time discount rate in intertemporal decision-making. Furthermore, self-concept clarity could indirectly regulate the effect of future self-continuity on intertemporal decision-making through future outcome consideration. These two studies contribute to a better understanding of intertemporal decision-making behavior in different states, help reduce cognitive bias through rational analysis of current states, achieve maximum life benefits, and enrich empirical research in the fields of future self-continuity and intertemporal decision-making.

Exposure to immersive virtual environments decreases present bias

In a Cave Automatic Virtual Environment, we conducted an experiment to investigate the influence of future self-continuity on the delay of immediate monetary gratification. By utilizing immersive virtual environments, we aimed to accentuate the role of environmental cues in shaping behavior. Our findings revealed that these environmental stimuli had a significant impact, leading to a higher likelihood of selecting a larger delayed option. This effect was attributed to the enhanced desirability of future gratification and a reduction in the influence of present bias on future rewards. These results underscore the utility of virtual environments as a valuable tool for both testing and elucidating intertemporal choice behavior.

Future Self-Continuity Predicts Health-Promoting Behaviors of Chinese Rural College Students: Evidence from Mental Imagery Intervention

The purpose of this research is to investigate the prediction effect of future self-continuity (FSC) on health-promoting behaviors (Health Responsibility, Physical Activity, and Nutritional Habits) and the impact of urban-rural differences in Chinese college students, further verifying the effect of mental imagery practice on enhancing FSC and promoting health-promoting behaviors among students from rural areas. Study 1 used the Future Self-Continuity Questionnaire and a sub-scale of the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile-II to examine the relationship between FSC and health-promoting behaviors among 788 college students (430 from rural areas and others from urban areas). Study 2 was designed to examine the impact of intervention on FSC and health-promoting behaviors among Chinese rural students. The intervention activities lasting 4 wk. 162 freshmen were randomly divided into intervention or control groups to practice the mental imagery about the future self or meditation in the present once a week. FSC and health-promoting behaviors were tested for 3 times. The results demonstrated that: (1) Rural students had lower scores in FSC and health-promoting behaviors than urban students; (2) Urban-rural differences of students moderated the effect of FSC on health-promoting behaviors; (3) The mental imagery practiced increased FSC; and (4) FSC played a complete mediating role in the effect of condition (intervention or not) on health-promoting behaviors for rural college students. Overall, these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between FSC and health-promoting behaviors, and suggest that mental imagery practice can increase Chinese rural college students’ health-promoting behaviors by enhancing their FSC.

Parental emotional neglect and academic procrastination: the mediating role of future self-continuity and ego depletion.

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of parental emotional neglect on the academic procrastination of late adolescents and further analyze the mediating role of future self-continuity and ego depletion. This study included 609 college students, 344 males and 265 females, ranging in age from 17 to 21 years (M=18.39, SD=0.82), who responded to four questionnaires measuring parental emotional neglect, academic procrastination, future self-continuity, and ego depletion, respectively. The results showed that future self-continuity and ego depletion mediated the association between parental emotional neglect and late adolescents' academic procrastination in a serial pattern. Perceived higher levels of parental emotional neglect correlated with lower future self-continuity and higher ego depletion in these late adolescents, leading to higher levels of academic procrastination.

Validation of the Future Self Continuity Questionnaire (FSCQ)

This oral presentation aims to illustrates a local validation of a recently developed measure of future-self-continuity, the Future Self Continuity Questionnaire (FSCQ). Self-continuity is the sense of psychological connection between the past self, the present self and the future self, in the dimension of time (Chandler, 1994). Rutchick et al. (2018) propose that when people feel a greater sense of continuity between their present and future selves, their decision making may be more influenced by thoughts of their future self. The study will recruit at least 200 participants to fill out a series of questionnaires related to future self-continuity, including the Future Self-Continuity Scale (FSCS), Consideration of Future Consequences-14 Scale (CFC-14), Multidimensional Temporal Self-Continuity Scale (MTSCS), and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). The higher degree people's future self-continuity (according to the FSCQ), the more likely they are to associate their future self with their past/present self (as measured by FSCS and MTSCS). This inclination also tends to result in a greater consideration for the future consequences of their actions (as measured by the CFC), and potentially corresponds with a lower degree of hopelessness (as measured by BHS). Analyses will include item analyses, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to examine the factorial structure of the questionnaire, alongside assessments of internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

The association between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming among Chinese college students: the serial mediation of consideration of future consequences and state self-control capacity

BackgroundTo explore the relationship between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming among Chinese college students and to examine the serial mediation of consideration of future consequences and state self-control capacity on the association between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming, based on Identity-Based Motivation Theory.MethodsThe Problematic Mobile Video Gaming Scale, Future Self-continuity Scale, Consideration of Future Consequences Scale, and Short Version of State Self-control Capacity Scale were administered to a sample comprising 800 college students (338 males accounting for 42.3%). Multivariate analysis and latent variables analysis were utilized to explore the separate mediating role consideration of future consequences and state self-control capacity played in the association between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming, and their serial mediation also was investigated. The Bootstrap method was employed to test the significance of these mediation effects.ResultsThe negative association between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming was moderately found. Students with increased consideration of future consequences from higher levels of future self-continuity have decreased their problematic mobile video gaming. Future self-continuity significantly positively predicted state self-control capacity, which in turn significantly negatively predicted problematic mobile video gaming. The serial mediation was also found.ConclusionThe findings revealed why differences in identification with the current and future selves become influencing factors in problematic mobile video gaming. This study observed the mediating role that consideration of future consequences and state self-control capacity play in the association between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming.

Future self-continuity and depression among college students: The role of presence of meaning and perceived social support.

Future self-continuity has been shown to have a protective effect against depression. This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationship between future self-continuity and depression among college students, and to explore the mediating role of the presence of meaning and the moderating role of perceived social support. We conducted two studies in China in 2022 and 2023. Study 1 was a longitudinal cross-lagged study that examined the relationship between future self-continuity and depression among 173 participants (49.13% females, Mage = 19.39, SD = 1.63). Study 2 was a cross-sectional study that explored the mediating role of the presence of meaning and the moderating role of perceived social support among 426 participants (48.59% females, Mage = 19.30, SD = 1.60). Study 1 showed that future self-continuity (T1) could significantly predict depression (T2), but depression (T1) could not predict future self-continuity (T2). Study 2 showed that after controlling for gender, the presence of meaning mediated the relationship between future self-continuity and depression, whereas perceived social support moderated the first half of the mediated model's pathway and the direct pathway. These findings suggest that enhancing the future self-continuity of college students and increasing the level of presence of meaning are effective measures for alleviating depression. Meanwhile, educators and families are called upon to provide more social support to college students.

How future self-continuity mediates the impact of job loss on negative mental health outcomes among transitioning veterans

ABSTRACT Veterans in the transition stage out of the military have an increased risk for negative mental health outcomes and suicide. Previous research has found that finding and retaining employment is the most challenging post-service adjustment for veterans. Job loss may have a greater impact on mental health for veterans than for civilians due to the myriad challenges often faced when transitioning to the civilian workplace, as well as preexisting vulnerabilities that are common among veterans such as trauma exposure or service-related injuries. Previous studies have demonstrated that low Future Self-Continuity (FSC), which refers to the sense of “psychological connectedness” that a person has between their present and future selves, has also been associated with the abovementioned mental health outcomes. 167 U.S. military veterans who exited the military 10 or fewer years prior to their participation in the study, of which 87 experienced subsequent job loss, completed a series of questionnaires to assess future self-continuity (FSC) and mental health outcomes. Results confirmed previous findings in that job loss, as well as low FSC, were individually associated with an increased risk for negative mental health outcomes. Findings suggest that FSC may act as a mediator, where levels of FSC mediate the effects of job loss on negative mental outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality) among veterans during their first 10 years out of the military. These findings may have implications for enhancing current clinical interventions for veterans experiencing job loss and mental health difficulties during the transition period.

Perceiving a Stable Self-Concept Enables the Experience of Meaning in Life.

We test the hypothesis that the perception of stability in one's self-concept (i.e., future self-continuity) enables the experience of meaning in life because perceiving a stable sense of self confers a sense of certainty to the self-concept. Study 1 provided initial evidence of the influence of future self-continuity on feelings of meaning in life (MIL) in a nationally representative sample. In Studies 2a and 2b, we manipulated future self-continuity by varying the expectedness of one's future self, demonstrating the causal influence of future self-continuity on self-certainty and feelings of MIL. Study 3 again manipulated future self-continuity, finding an indirect effect on feelings of meaning in life via self-certainty. Our findings thus suggest the experience of meaning in life arises from the perception of a stable sense of self. We discuss the implications for the antecedents and conceptualization of MIL as well as the nature of the self-concept.