Health-related decisions often involve choices where the benefits or consequences appear far into the future. Young adults regularly make decisions related to preventive healthcare, lifestyle behaviours, physical activity, nutrition, and health risk management, all of which may influence their future well-being. However, individuals differ in their ability to consider future outcomes and maintain a psychological connection with their future identity. This connection between the present self and the future self is known as self-continuity.
The present Health Psychology Research Article examines the relationship between self-continuity and long-term health decision-making among young adults. The study explores whether a stronger connection with the future self-influences preventive health choices, future health planning, and willingness to engage in behaviours that provide benefits over extended periods.
The proposed framework considers self-continuity as a psychological process that promotes future-oriented thinking and strengthens personal responsibility toward long-term health outcomes. The research examines behavioural indicators including preventive health decision-making, healthy lifestyle intentions, future health planning, and risk reduction behaviours.
The conceptual and behavioural analysis suggests that individuals with stronger self-continuity may be more likely to make health-related decisions that involve delayed benefits because they perceive their future self as closely connected with their present identity. In contrast, individuals with weaker self-continuity may place greater emphasis on immediate outcomes and show lower motivation toward maintaining long-term health behaviours.
This research contributes to health psychology by connecting future self-perception with behavioural health decision-making. The proposed framework provides insights for preventive healthcare interventions, health education initiatives, and behavioural strategies aimed at encouraging sustainable health choices among young adults.