Procrastination and Stress: A Conceptual Review of Why Context Matters

Abstract

Research over the past two decades has continued to highlight the robust associations between procrastination and stress across multiple populations and contexts. Despite this burgeoning evidence base and theory linking procrastination to higher levels of stress, as well as the reverse, the role of context in this potentially dynamic association has received relatively little attention. In this conceptual review I argue that from a mood regulation perspective of procrastination, stressful contexts necessarily increase risk for procrastination because they deplete coping resources and lower the threshold for tolerating negative emotions. Drawing on insights from coping and emotion regulation theory, the new stress context vulnerability model of procrastination proposes that the risk for procrastination increases in stressful contexts primarily because procrastination is a low-resource means of avoiding aversive and difficult task-related emotions. The new model is then applied to evidence on the primary and secondary sources of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they may have increased vulnerability for procrastination. After discussing potential applications of the new model for understanding how and why risk for procrastination may increase in other stressful contexts, approaches that might mitigate vulnerability for procrastination in high-stress contexts are discussed. Overall, this new stress context vulnerability model underscores the need for taking a more compassionate view of the antecedents and factors that may increase the risk for procrastination.

The Frequency and Patterns of Age- and Gender-Specific Neurogastroenterological Consequences in Saudi Millennial Women Imply Potential Post-COIVD-19 Dysbiosis

“…For instance, GERD was more prevalent among old age participants, IBD was more common among age groups 40-49 years, and psychological disorders among younger age participants with recorded statistical significance (P value =.001). It is intriguing that despite significant differences in population genetic structures, lifestyles, and nutritional aspects at different geographic regions, this pattern remains similar to reports from global communities including Korea [30], Palestine [31], USA [32 33], UK [34], China [35]. This common syndrome is consistent with the widely established scientific notion that the gut nerve cells we're born with are the same ones we die with.…”

“…Among the demographic factors associated with the disorders showed that female respondents were more likely than male counterparts with 72.4%(n=1496) compared to 27.6% males (n=571). Age groups indicated that 66%(n=1364) were young between 18-29 years while only 13% and 12.5% were (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39) and 40-49), respectively. Seniors aged 50-59 and over 60 were the least frequent responders at 6% and 2%, respectively.…”

The Psychology of Atopic Dermatitis

“…Stigmatisation in AD involves both stigmatisation by others and self-stigmatisation. Stigma, esteem, efficacy, depression, and activation are inter-related and any therapy should address all of these; otherwise, low motivation and hopelessness would deter any possibility of therapeutic progress [ 66 , 67 , 68 ].…”

Does Polychronicity Impact Innovative Work Behavior? The Role of Procrastination

“…The direct impact of procrastination and IWB According to self-determination theory, employees who possess intrinsic motivation are inherently inclined to participate in a given task due to the gratification and rewards it provides (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Even employees, who are intrinsically driven, may put off completing a task if it seems too hard or stressful (Sirois, 2023) or if they find something else more intriguing (Ferrari et al, 1995). A number of scholars are of view that procrastination involves intentionally putting off important tasks until later, even while the person knows that putting them off would hurt them and people around them (Steel, 2007;Sirois & Pychyl, 2013).…”