title: The role of temporal orientation in reactive and proactive illness management.
abstract: The present study examined whether the effects of temporal orientation on illness self-management in older women with osteoarthritis (N = 74) were moderated by perceived threats to life goals. When perceived goal threat was lower, individuals who were highly future-oriented engaged in a greater number of arthritis management behaviors, especially proactive strategies (e.g., exercise and dietary supplements). When individuals perceived more threat to life goals, having a greater present orientation predicted greater use of arthritis management behaviors, particularly reactive strategies (e.g., taking pain medication). Results suggest that temporal orientation is important in determining whether individuals take a more reactive or proactive approach to illness management, particularly when considering the potential consequences of illness on quality of life.
authors.affiliation: a Office of Quality Management, County of Orange Health Care Agency , Santa Ana , CA 92701 , USA.
authors.forename: Janel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alberts
authors.forename: Genevieve Fridlund
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Dunton
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009949:Orientation; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D013998:Time Perception
keywords: Temporal orientation; arthritis; goal threat; illness self-management; quality of life