Threads of time: A lifespan perspective on temporal simulations, self-continuity and meaning in life
Publication Type
PhD Dissertation
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
5-2025
Abstract
This research investigates how temporal simulations—prospection and retrospection — influence meaning in life (MIL) through the mediating role of self-continuity, and whether these relationships vary with age. Across two studies, self-continuity mediated these associations, but the specific pathways appeared to be nuanced. In Study 1, using a correlational design, frequency of prospection and retrospection positively and negatively predicted MIL via self-continuity respectively. These indirect effects, however, became nonsignificant when accounting for personality and dispositional affect, suggesting the effects of temporal simulation frequency to be primarily driven by these individual differences. Study 2 experimentally manipulated temporal simulations. Prospection enhanced MIL through selfcontinuity, but the effect of prospection on self-continuity became non-significant controlling for simulation-induced affect. This may suggest a dependence of prospection on affect to scaffold future-oriented thought into self-continuity and perceptions of MIL. Conversely, retrospection increased MIL through self-continuity only when controlling for simulationinduced affect; without controlling for simulation affect, the effect of retrospection on selfcontinuity was non-significant. This might suggest the potential for retrospection enhance self-continuity and MIL when emotional interference is mitigated. Contrary to our hypotheses, age did not moderate these relationships. Findings underscore important asymmetries in how past- and future-thinking shape perceptions of self and a meaningful life.
Keywords
past-oriented thinking, future-oriented thinking, meaning in life, self continuity
Degree Awarded
PhD in Psychology
Discipline
Personality and Social Contexts
Supervisor(s)
TOV, William; HARTANTO, Andree
First Page
1
Last Page
68
Publisher
Singapore Management University
City or Country
Singapore
Citation
CHIA, Jonathan Louis Jie Sheng.
Threads of time: A lifespan perspective on temporal simulations, self-continuity and meaning in life. (2025). 1-68.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/etd_coll/773
Copyright Owner and License
Author
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.