Examining the implications of perceiving one’s future health as a goal or a standard for affect, motivation, and health behaviour

Haight, Brook L.; Busseri, Michael A.

doi:10.1007/s11031-021-09893-3

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 45 publications

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“…Nonetheless, some emerging experimental findings suggest that a more steeply inclining current–future subjective LS trajectory slope, despite being linked with greater distress, predicts greater motivation to achieve one’s goals for the future (Busseri & Samani, 2019; DeGagne & Busseri, 2021; Haight & Busseri, 2021; Kremble & Busseri, 2022). Such results are consistent with a compensatory reaction that, according to self-regulation theories, occurs when individuals recognize they are falling short of their desired goals (Boldero & Francis, 2002; Carver & Scheier, 1982; Markman & McMullen, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The global belief that “life gets better and better”: National differences in recollected past, present, and anticipated future life satisfaction around the world, across time, and in relation to societal functioning.

Busseri¹

2022

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

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National-level differences in individuals' ratings of their recollected past, current, and anticipated future life satisfaction (LS) were examined using results from two pioneering projects comprising national-level results for 14 countries (Cantril, 1965) and 15 regions of the world (Gallup International Research Institutes & Charles F. Kettering Foundation, 1976; Study 1), as well as sequential results from the Gallup World Poll based on 137 countries representing a broad range of nations from around the world surveyed from 2005 to 2018 (Study 2). Results from both studies revealed a robust belief that "life gets better" over time (i.e., recollected past < current < anticipated future LS) in nations around the world. Such beliefs were examined in relation to objective and subjective indicators of societal-level functioning. Results replicated across studies in showing that nations with less positive societal functioning and prosperity were characterized by less recollected past improvements in LS, and yet greater anticipated future improvements in LS. Results from Study 2 also revealed that such expectations were positively biased compared to changes over time in national levels of LS; further, greater bias was related to less positive societal-level functioning. In conclusion, examining national-level differences in LS from a subjective temporal perspective provides valuable new insights concerning human development and prosperity across countries, over time, and around the world.

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