Journal
Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research
MJAAR
Present-Moment Living as Psychological Liberation: A Theoretical Analysis of Guilt, Anxiety, and Temporal Focus in Human Experience
Ahumuza Audrey, Musimenta Nancy
| Journal | Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research (MJAAR) |
| Volume / Issue | Vol. 5, No. 4 |
| Published | 30 April 2026 |
| ISSN | 3006-6417 |
Abstract
This study examined the theoretical and empirical intersections between present-moment temporal focus and psychological liberation, with particular emphasis on guilt as a past-oriented cognitive-affective construct and anxiety as a future-oriented psychological phenomenon. Drawing upon an integrated theoretical framework that synthesized Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and temporal selfappraisal theory, the study investigated how habitual temporal orientation influences subjective psychological wellbeing, rumination severity, emotional regulation capacity, and overall life satisfaction among adults aged 18 to 65. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining quantitative survey instruments with qualitative thematic analysis of in-depth participant narratives. A purposively selected sample of 240 participants was recruited across clinical and non-clinical settings. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency distributions,Pearson correlation coefficients, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and independent samples t-tests. Qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-phase framework. Results revealed that present-moment temporal orientation was significantly and negatively correlated with both guiltm scores (r = −0.61, p < 0.001) and anxiety scores (r = −0.58, p < 0.001), while demonstrating a strong positive association with psychological well-being (r = 0.67, p < 0.001). ANOVA results indicated statistically significantdifferences in well-being scores across temporal orientation groups (F(2, 237) = 42.17, p < 0.001). Qualitative themesm consistently affirmed the liberatory function of present-moment awareness, including themes of cognitive defusion, self-compassion, and experiential openness. These findings collectively support the proposition that present-moment living constitutes a meaningful pathway to psychological liberation from the temporal burdens of guilt and anxiety. The study recommends the integration of mindfulness-based temporal reorientation strategies into psychotherapeutic practice, educational curricula, and community mental health programming.
Keywords
Present-moment living
psychological liberation
guilt
anxiety
temporal focus
mindfulness
wellbeing
rumination
Cite This Article
Ahumuza Audrey & Musimenta Nancy (2026). Present-Moment Living as Psychological Liberation: A Theoretical Analysis of Guilt, Anxiety, and Temporal Focus in Human Experience. Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research, 5(4). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=374
More in This Issue
View full issue →
1
Assessing Learner Readiness for Applied Real Estate Education in Uganda: Skills, Tools, and Knowledge for Market Opportunities
Learner readiness
real estate education
Uganda
structural equation modelling
2
Beyond Theory: Assessing Learner Readiness for Skills, Tools, and Knowledge in Ugandan Higher Education
learner readiness
higher education
Uganda
structural equation modelling
3
Decentering the Scopus Imperative: The Case for Strengthening Local Journal Ecosystems in African Scholarship
Scopus imperative
local journal ecosystems
African scholarship
knowledge equity
4
Digital Credit Expansion as Compensatory Financial Infrastructure: Analyzing MTN Uganda's 66.7% Loan Growth and National Development Implications
Digital credit
MTN Uganda
MoMo loans
financial inclusion
5
Digital Literacy as Institutional Imperative: Management Strategies for Higher Education Transformation in Uganda
Digital Literacy
Higher Education
Institutional Management
Uganda