The Associations Between Deviation From the Balanced Time Perspective and Depression and Anxiety: The Moderator Role of Mindfulness in a Two-Wave Study
Ayşe Altan‐Atalay, Hamed Abdollahpour Ranjbar, Seda Altıntaş
Psychological Reports May 19, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/00332941251343535 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 243 |
| Population | University students aged 18-29 (53.09% women) |
| Duration | Five-week time interval between two measurement points |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | The interaction between deviation from a balanced time perspective (DBTP) and mindfulness measured at time one prospectively predicted anxiety and depression five weeks later. Among individuals with low DBTP, higher mindfulness was associated with significantly lower anxiety and depression; as DBTP increased, distress in the high-mindfulness group rose significantly and converged with the low-mindfulness group, indicating the buffering effect of mindfulness diminishes under increased DBTP. |
Abstract
Deviation from the balanced time perspective (DBTP) refers to difficulties in switching between different time frames in a flexible way by considering the situational demands. DBTP is associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety. Mindfulness acts as a protective mechanism against depression and anxiety. The current study examined the moderator role of mindfulness in the relationship between DBTP and psychological distress. The participants were 243 university students (53.09% women) between ages 18 and 29 (M = 19.88, SD = 1.42) who answered self-report measures of time perspective, mindfulness, anxiety, and depression at two-time points with a five-week time interval. The results showed that the interaction between DBTP and mindfulness measured at time one could prospectively predict both anxiety and depression measured at time two. Mindfulness plays a significant moderating role in the relationship between DBTP and anxiety and depression. The data indicate that for individuals with low levels of DBTP, those with higher mindfulness experience significantly lower anxiety and depression compared to those with lower mindfulness. However, as DBTP increases, anxiety and depression levels in the high mindfulness group rise significantly, ultimately converging with those observed in the low mindfulness group. This indicates that while high mindfulness offers buffering effects against anxiety and depression, these effects diminish under increased DBTP.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Patients with a depressive disorder | 2015 | Observational study | |
| Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation | 1978 | Retrospective study | n = 77 |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
Citations in the library
Cites 8
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Inside the Mindful Mind Current Directions in Psychological Science December 1, 2013
- Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Complementary health practice review April 1, 2008
- Mindfulness Promotes a More Balanced Time Perspective: Correlational and Intervention-Based Evidence Mindfulness February 22, 2019
and 3 more in the library