Erschienen in:
11.11.2019 | Original Article
The (fatalistic) present as experienced by individuals with Alzheimer’s disease: a preliminary study
verfasst von:
Mohamad El Haj, Dimitrios Kapogiannis, Pascal Antoine
Erschienen in:
Neurological Sciences
|
Ausgabe 2/2020
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Abstract
Background
The “time perspectives theory” describes how individuals emphasize some time frames over others (e.g., present vs. future) and thus create their unique approach to time perception. Building on this theory, we investigated three time orientations in Alzheimer’s disease (AD): (1) present-hedonistic orientation, which focuses on current sensations and pleasures without considering the future, (2) present-fatalistic orientation, characterized by a bias of hopelessness and helplessness toward the future, and (3) future orientation, which focuses on achieving personal goals and future consequences of present actions.
Methods
Participants with mild AD (n = 30) and controls (n = 33) were assessed with a questionnaire regarding time perspectives and a questionnaire of depression.
Results
Results demonstrated low future orientation and high present-fatalistic orientation in AD participants, whereas older adults demonstrated the reverse pattern. Depression positively correlated with fatalistic-present orientation, but negatively correlated with hedonistic-present and future orientations.
Discussion
Although our findings are preliminary and the sample size is small, depression in mild AD seems to be related with a fatalistic orientation toward the present, as well as a hopeless and helpless perspective on the future, an orientation that results in little desire to enjoy the present.