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Present-Moment Living as Psychological Liberation: A Theoretical Analysis of Guilt, Anxiety, and Temporal Focus in Human Experience

Ahumuza Audrey, Musimenta Nancy


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
Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research

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

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