Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2026

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
Depressive symptoms and intertemporal decision-making in adolescents: the indirect role of future self-continuity
Luoyan Wang1, Bowen Xue1,2,3, Qianqian Shu4
1Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
Background:
Depressive symptoms may be associated with adolescents' tendency to prioritise immediate rewards over delayed outcomes, yet the psychological processes underlying this association remain unclear. Future self-continuity, defined as the perceived connection between one's present and future selves, may be one such mechanism. This study examined whether future self-continuity mediated the association between depressive mood and intertemporal decision-making in adolescents.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 352 adolescents from two schools in China. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, future self-continuity was measured using the Future Self-Continuity Questionnaire, and intertemporal decision-making was assessed using a classic intertemporal choice task. Pearson correlation analyses and mediation analysis were conducted.
Results:
Depressive symptoms were negatively associated with future self-continuity and intertemporal decision-making, whereas future self-continuity was positively associated with intertemporal decision-making. Mediation analysis showed that future self-continuity significantly mediated the association between depressive mood and intertemporal decision-making.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that lower future self-continuity may be one psychological factor linking depressive symptoms to adolescents' stronger preference for immediate over delayed rewards. Interventions aimed at strengthening adolescents' sense of connection with their future selves may help support more future-oriented decision-making.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Decision Making
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition

