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Waiting with purpose: A reliable but small association between purpose in life and impulsivity
Anthony L Burrow1, R Nathan Spreng1,2
1Department of Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853.
Abstract:
Purpose in life contributes to health and wellbeing. We examine the link between purpose and behavioral impulsivity that may account for these benefits. In a community sample of 503 adults, we found a small yet reliable positive association between purpose and valuing future rewards on a delayed discounting task, a behavioral index of impulsivity. This bootstrapped correlation remained after accounting for Big-5 personality traits, positive affect, and demographic characteristics, suggesting a unique and robust link between purpose and impulsivity (r = .1). We interpret this connection as evidence that purpose enables a broader life view, which serves to inhibit impulsive distractions.
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