Balanced Time Perspective and Mental Health: The Mediating Effects of Emotion Regulation Strategies

Li Xiaobao; Lyu Houchao

doi:10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.20240307

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Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2024, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (3) : 562-569. DOI: 10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.20240307

General Psychology，Experimental Psychology & Ergonomics

Balanced Time Perspective and Mental Health: The Mediating Effects of Emotion Regulation Strategies

Li Xiaobao, Lyu Houchao

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Abstract

Balanced time perspective refers to an individual's overall positive cognition of the past, present, and future, and the ability to show adaptive time perspective depending on a situation's demands. Numerous studies have generally found a positive and strong association between balanced time perspective and indicators of mental health. However, little is known about the mediating mechanism underlying this link. Previous studies have shown that emotion regulation strategies are closely related to subjective well-being and anxiety. Generally speaking, individuals who frequently use cognitive reappraisal strategy are likely to experience better subjective well-being and less anxiety, whereas people who often use expressive suppression strategy tend to experience a low level of subjective well-being and a high level of anxiety. In addition, given that balanced time perspective is closely related to individual emotions, motivations, and behaviors, it may be an important factor affecting emotion regulation strategies. Thus, we hypothesized that emotion regulation strategies would mediate the linkage between balanced time perspective and mental health.
To test our hypotheses, a total of 1432 adults aged 17 to 76 years old (Mean age = 29.04 years old, SD = 14.38 years old) participated in the present study via an online survey. They anonymously completed questionnaires regarding balanced time perspective, emotion regulation strategies, life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and anxiety. All the data were analyzed with the software SPSS 22.0 and Mplus7.0. We first used correlation analysis to preliminary test the relationship among study variables, and then structural equation modeling was used to test the mediating effects of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between balanced time perspective and mental health. Mental health was treated as a latent variable including four indicators: life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect and anxiety. Results showed that (1) balanced time perspective positively correlated with life satisfaction and positive affect, and negatively related to negative affect and anxiety. (2) Balanced time perspective positively linked with cognitive reappraisal and negatively linked with expressive suppression. Cognitive reappraisal was positively related to life satisfaction and positive affect, and negatively related to negative affect and anxiety. Expressive suppression was positively related to negative affect and anxiety. (3) The relationship between balanced time perspective and mental health was significantly mediated by cognitive reappraisal (in a positive direction) and expressive suppression (in a negative direction). These findings highlighted the importantance of involving balanced time perspective and emotion regulation strategies when explaining individuals’ mental health.
In summary, this study confirmed the positive effect of balanced time perspective on mental health and demonstrated the mediating role of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression in the relationship between balanced time perspective and mental health. The results of this study have implications for clinical practice and suggestions that promote well-being and reduce anxiety by building a balanced time perspective were provided. Limitations and future directions were also discussed.

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time perspective / balanced time perspective / mental health / emotion regulation strategies

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Li Xiaobao, Lyu Houchao. Balanced Time Perspective and Mental Health: The Mediating Effects of Emotion Regulation Strategies[J]. Journal of Psychological Science. 2024, 47(3): 562-569 https://doi.org/10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.20240307

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