Intertemporal Decision-Making Ability in Patients with Chronic Diseases: A Concept Analysis

Intertemporal decision-making ability influences adherence to health behavior and clinical outcomes in patients with chronic diseases. However, its concept remains insufficiently defined. This study aimed to identify the key attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents of intertemporal decision-making ability in patients with chronic diseases.

The Walker and Avant's concept analysis method was used. A systematic search for studies on intertemporal decision-making ability in patients with chronic diseases was conducted across the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The search covered literature from the beginning until January 2026.

A total of 35 articles were included. Four defining attributes of intertemporal decision-making ability in patients with chronic diseases were identified: impulse control, emotional self-regulation, future health valuation, and future-oriented thinking and planning. Antecedents included economic factors, knowledge level, perceived health competence, disease status, emotional status, personality traits, and time perspective, while its consequences encompassed improved psychological status, adherence, and clinical outcomes.

Intertemporal decision-making ability in patients with chronic diseases is a multidimensional psychological construct. A thorough examination of this concept can facilitate the development of appropriate assessment instruments and stratified interventions. In clinical practice, healthcare providers can deliver individualized interventions based on patients' specific deficient attributes, using strategies such as immediate rewards, environmental restructuring, health education, and episodic future thinking training to enhance intertemporal decision-making ability, thereby improving adherence to health behaviors and optimizing clinical outcomes.