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Time perspective and weight management behaviors in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes: a mediational analysis

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Abstract

The primary objective of the current study was to examine the extent to which domain-specific time perspective predicts weight management behaviors (dietary behavior and physical activity) among those newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. A secondary objective was to test potential mediators of the hypothesized effect (behavioral intention, self-efficacy and control beliefs). A total of 204 adults newly diagnosed (≤6 months) with Type 2 diabetes participated in the study, which included a baseline assessment of domain-general and domain-specific time perspective, as well as strength of intention to perform two weight-management behaviors (dietary choice and physical activity); both weight-management behaviors were assessed again at 6 month follow-up. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed a prospective association between domain-specific time perspective and uptake of weight management behaviors. Individuals with newly diagnosed T2DM possessing a future-oriented time perspective reported making less frequent fatty food choices and greater increases in physical activity over the 6-month follow-up interval. These effects were selectively mediated by intention strength, and not competing social cognitive variables. For both behaviors, the total effects and meditational models were robust to adjustments for demographics, body composition and disease variables. A future-oriented time perspective is prospectively associated with superior uptake of weight management behaviors among those with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. The facilitating effect of future-oriented thinking appears to occur via enhanced strength of intentions to perform weight management behaviors.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by an operating grant to the first author from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). The authors wish to thank the staff at the Royal University Hospital and Ms. Lynette Epp for their assistance with recruitment and data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, BMH 3028, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada

    Peter A. Hall

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, BMH 3028, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada

    Geoffrey T. Fong

  3. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Alice Y. Cheng

Authors
  1. Peter A. Hall
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  2. Geoffrey T. Fong
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  3. Alice Y. Cheng
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter A. Hall.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Time Perspective Questionnaire-exercise version (TPQ-E)

Consider each of the statements below. For each, indicate your level of agreement or disagreement by using the following scale. Put the appropriate number, indicating your level of agreement or disagreement, in the box to the left of each statement.

Appendix 2: Time Perspective Questionnaire-diet version (TPQ-D)

Consider each of the statements below. For each, indicate your level of agreement or disagreement by using the following scale. Put the appropriate number, indicating your level of agreement or disagreement, in the box to the left of each statement.

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Hall, P.A., Fong, G.T. & Cheng, A.Y. Time perspective and weight management behaviors in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes: a mediational analysis. J Behav Med 35, 569–580 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-011-9389-6

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