Look into the crystal ball: Can vivid images of the future enhance physical health?

Simon A. Moss; Timothy C. Skinner; Nektarios Alexi; Samuel G. Wilson

doi:10.1177/1359105316669582

Look into the crystal ball: Can vivid images of the future enhance physical health?

Simon A. Moss^*, Timothy C. Skinner, Nektarios Alexi, Samuel G. Wilson

^*Corresponding author for this work

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Many impulsive behaviors, unpleasant emotions, and misguided cognitions increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes and other conditions. This study tests the premise that such risk factors are inversely related to future clarity—the extent to which the future seems vivid and certain. Specifically, 211 participants completed the measures of future clarity and various determinants of health. Future clarity was positively associated with the inclination of participants to consume healthy food, abstain from cigarettes, participate in physical activity, and experience positive emotions. Future research should examine whether interventions designed to help individuals clarify and pursue their aspirations could stem lifestyle diseases.

Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Health Psychology
Volume	23
Issue number	13
Pages (from-to)	1689-1698
Number of pages	10
ISSN	1359-1053
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105316669582
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2018

Keywords

emotions
healthy behavior
physical activity
quasi-experiment
smoking

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1177/1359105316669582

Cite this

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title = "Look into the crystal ball: Can vivid images of the future enhance physical health?",

abstract = "Many impulsive behaviors, unpleasant emotions, and misguided cognitions increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes and other conditions. This study tests the premise that such risk factors are inversely related to future clarity—the extent to which the future seems vivid and certain. Specifically, 211 participants completed the measures of future clarity and various determinants of health. Future clarity was positively associated with the inclination of participants to consume healthy food, abstain from cigarettes, participate in physical activity, and experience positive emotions. Future research should examine whether interventions designed to help individuals clarify and pursue their aspirations could stem lifestyle diseases.",

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AU - Moss, Simon A.

AU - Skinner, Timothy C.

AU - Alexi, Nektarios

AU - Wilson, Samuel G.

PY - 2018/11/1

Y1 - 2018/11/1

N2 - Many impulsive behaviors, unpleasant emotions, and misguided cognitions increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes and other conditions. This study tests the premise that such risk factors are inversely related to future clarity—the extent to which the future seems vivid and certain. Specifically, 211 participants completed the measures of future clarity and various determinants of health. Future clarity was positively associated with the inclination of participants to consume healthy food, abstain from cigarettes, participate in physical activity, and experience positive emotions. Future research should examine whether interventions designed to help individuals clarify and pursue their aspirations could stem lifestyle diseases.

AB - Many impulsive behaviors, unpleasant emotions, and misguided cognitions increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes and other conditions. This study tests the premise that such risk factors are inversely related to future clarity—the extent to which the future seems vivid and certain. Specifically, 211 participants completed the measures of future clarity and various determinants of health. Future clarity was positively associated with the inclination of participants to consume healthy food, abstain from cigarettes, participate in physical activity, and experience positive emotions. Future research should examine whether interventions designed to help individuals clarify and pursue their aspirations could stem lifestyle diseases.

KW - emotions

KW - healthy behavior

KW - physical activity

KW - quasi-experiment

KW - smoking

U2 - 10.1177/1359105316669582

DO - 10.1177/1359105316669582

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EP - 1698

JO - Journal of Health Psychology

JF - Journal of Health Psychology

IS - 13

ER -

Look into the crystal ball: Can vivid images of the future enhance physical health?

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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