Stimulating Future-Oriented Thinking and Goal-Achievement Through the Future Self Using Virtual Reality and a Smartphone App: Randomized Controlled Trial - Takeaways - MDSpire

Stimulating Future-Oriented Thinking and Goal-Achievement Through the Future Self Using Virtual Reality and a Smartphone App: Randomized Controlled Trial

  • By

  • Jean-Louis van Gelder

  • Tiffany Tettero

  • Aniek Siezenga

  • Esther Mertens

  • May 13, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Enhancing future-oriented thinking can improve psychosocial functioning and lead to better decision-making and goal attainment.

  • 2

    Identification with the future self is crucial for promoting positive behaviors and reducing self-defeating actions.

  • 3

    Interventions targeting future self-identification may provide transdiagnostic benefits, particularly for mental health issues.

  • 4

    Future self-identification consists of vividness, connectedness, and valence, influencing intertemporal choices and behaviors.

  • 5

    Using virtual reality and mobile applications can effectively strengthen individuals' connections with their future selves.

Original Source(s)

Stimulating Future-Oriented Thinking and Goal-Achievement Through the Future Self Using Virtual Reality and a Smartphone App: Randomized Controlled Trial

  • by Jean-Louis van Gelder, Tiffany Tettero, Aniek Siezenga, Esther Mertens

  • May 13, 2026

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