Does Future Time Perspective Moderate Associations of Instrumental and Affective Attitude With Exercise Behavior? A Three-Wave Longitudinal Survey Among Japanese Older Adults.

This article investigates whether future time perspective moderates the influence of affective and instrumental attitudes on exercise behavior among older Japanese adults. Using data from a three-wave longitudinal survey of 886 participants, the study found that affective attitude—reflecting enjoyment and pleasure associated with exercise—consistently predicted both behavioral intention and exercise behavior regardless of future time perspective. Instrumental attitude—reflecting goal-oriented evaluations such as health benefits—showed limited predictive value, primarily among those with a lower future time perspective, but this effect was not robust. These findings challenge the socioemotional selectivity theory's assumption that future time perspective differentially influences motivational determinants of exercise, suggesting cultural factors may affect these relationships. The study highlights the importance of fostering positive affective experiences to promote sustained exercise behavior in older adults across varying future time perspectives.