EC Neurology

Procrastination is the voluntary delay of intended tasks despite anticipating negative consequences. Once viewed primarily as a problem of poor time management or insufficient motivation, it is now increasingly understood as a difficulty in self-regulation and emotion regulation. Individuals may postpone tasks not because they lack ability or intention, but because task engagement evokes distressing emotions such as anxiety, fear of failure, shame, uncertainty, or self-doubt. Consequently, procrastination may function as an emotion-focused coping strategy that provides temporary relief from psychological discomfort while contributing to poorer academic, occupational, and psychological outcomes over time. This review examines the potential role of early childhood adversity and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in adult procrastination by integrating evidence from procrastination research, developmental psychology, attachment theory, and trauma literature. It explores psychological mechanisms through which early adversity may increase vulnerability to chronic procrastination, including difficulties in emotion regulation, executive functioning, attachment security, and self-regulation. The evidence reviewed does not support a direct causal relationship between childhood adversity and adult procrastination. Rather, early adversity may contribute to developmental vulnerabilities that increase susceptibility to procrastination through indirect psychological pathways. Adopting a developmental perspective may facilitate more comprehensive assessment and inform interventions that address both the behavioural and emotional processes underlying chronic procrastination.

Keywords: Procrastination; Early Childhood Adversity; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Emotion Regulation; Attachment; Executive Functioning; Self-Regulation

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