The decisions we make are influenced by our preferences for thinking about the past, present, or future. When we mentally time-travel to alternative time lines, such as when we consider what might have been (i.e., counterfactual thinking), this can also have important implications for our motivation and mood.
My research over the past 19 years has aimed to understand how thinking about the past, present, or future (i.e., temporal thinking) impacts motivation, health, and well-being.
Journal Articles – Time Perspective
*Baird, H. Webb, T. L., Sirois, F. M., & Gibson-Miller, J. (2021). Understanding the effects of time perspective: A meta-analysis testing a self-regulatory framework. Psychological Bulletin, 147, 233–267. (IF = 20.85). Link | Self-archived version
Xu, T., Chen, Z., Sirois, F. M., Zhang, R., Yang, Y., & Feng. T. (2021). Neuroanatomical substrates accounting for the effect of present hedonistic time perspective on risk preference: The mediating role of the right posterior parietal cortex. Brain Imaging & Behaviour, 15, 244–254 (IF = 3.22). Link | Self-archived version
Chang, E. C., Lucas, A. G., Chang, O. D., Angoff, H., Li, M., Duong, A. H., Huang, J., Perera, M. J Sirois, F. M., & Hirsch, J. K. (2019). Relationship between future orientation and pain severity in fibromyalgia patients: Self-compassion as a coping mechanism. Social Work, 64, 253–258. (IF = 2.86). Link | Self-archived version
*Baird, H., Webb, T. L., Martin, J., & Sirois, F. M. (2019). The relationship between time perspective and self-monitoring of blood glucose among people with type 1 diabetes. Annals of Behavioural Medicine, 53, 196–209. (IF = 4.87). Link | Self-archived version
*Baird, H., Webb, T. L., Martin, J., & Sirois, F. M. (2017). The relationship between time perspective and self-regulatory processes, abilities and outcomes: A protocol for a meta-analytical review. BMJ Open. (IF = 3.01). Open access
Sirois, F. M. (2015). Who looks forward to better health? Personality and future health in the context of chronic illness. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 22, 569-579. (IF = 2.50). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M. (2015). Who looks forward to better health? Personality and future health in the context of chronic illness. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 22, 569-579. (IF = 2.50). Link | Self-archived version
Hirsch, J.K., Molnar, D., Chang, E.C., & Sirois, F. M. (2015). Future orientation and health quality of life in primary care: Vitality as a mediator. Quality of Life Research, 24, 1653-1659 (IF = 3.44). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M. (2014). Out of sight, out of time? A meta-analytic investigation of procrastination and time perspective. European Journal of Personality, 28, 511–520. (IF = 7.00). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., & Hirsch, J. K., (2013). Associations of psychological thriving with coping efficacy, expectations for future growth, and depressive symptoms over time in people with arthritis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 75, 279-286. (IF = 3.01). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., & Pychyl. T. A. (2013). Procrastination and the priority of short-term mood regulation: Consequences for future self. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 7 (2), 115–127. (IF- 3.80). Link | Self-archived version
Journal Articles – Counterfactual Thinking
Sirois, F. M., & Iyer, A. (2018). “At least David Cameron resigned”: The protective effects of just-world beliefs for counterfactual thinking after Brexit. Personality and Individual Differences, 121, 25-30. (IF = 3.95). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., *Monforton, J., & *Simpson, M. (2010) “If only I had done better”: Perfectionism and the functionality of counterfactual thinking. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 16, 1675–1692 (IF = 2.96). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M. (2004). Procrastination and counterfactual thinking: Avoiding what might have been. British Journal of Social Psychology, 43, 269-286. (IF = 6.92). Link | Self-archived version
Fuschia Sirois 