Did You Know Procrastination Is A Trauma Response?

By Rev. Dr. Philippe SHOCK Matthews

Procrastination is a common behavior that occurs when individuals delay or avoid completing tasks that are perceived as aversive or stressful (Sirois & Pychyl, 2013). It is associated with negative outcomes in various areas of life, including mental health, academic performance, and career achievement (Ying & Wang, 2023; Feng et al., 2018; Peixoto et al., 2021). Procrastination can lead to mental illnesses such as guilt, discontent, depression, and self-doubt (Feng et al., 2018). It is also linked to increased stress levels and poorer perceived health (Sirois & Tosti, 2012).

In the context of trauma response, procrastination can be seen as a coping mechanism to regulate short-term mood (Sirois & Pychyl, 2013). When faced with tasks that trigger negative emotions or reminders of past traumatic experiences, individuals may engage in procrastination as a way to avoid or delay confronting those emotions. This can be particularly relevant for individuals who have experienced trauma, including Black people who may have experienced racial trauma or discrimination.

The impact of procrastination on Black people specifically can be understood within the broader context of systemic racism and the unique stressors and challenges they face. Black individuals may experience higher levels of stress due to racial discrimination, which can contribute to procrastination as a maladaptive coping strategy (Sirois, 2015). Procrastination may serve as a way to temporarily alleviate stress or avoid confronting the additional challenges and pressures they face.

Furthermore, the negative consequences of procrastination, such as lower academic performance and increased stress, can disproportionately affect Black individuals due to systemic barriers and inequalities in education and employment opportunities (Johansson et al., 2023). The combination of racial stressors and the negative outcomes associated with procrastination can create a cycle of increased stress, lower achievement, and further procrastination.

It is important to note that not all procrastination behaviors are harmful or lead to negative consequences (Chu & Choi, 2005). Some forms of procrastination, known as "active" procrastination, can positively affect attitudes and performance (Chu & Choi, 2005). However, in the context of trauma response and its specific impact on Black individuals, procrastination is more likely to be maladaptive and associated with negative outcomes.

Procrastination can be understood as a trauma response and can have specific effects on Black individuals. It can serve as a coping mechanism to regulate short-term mood, but it is associated with negative outcomes in various areas of life, including mental health and academic performance. The unique stressors and challenges faced by Black individuals, such as racial discrimination and systemic inequalities, can contribute to higher levels of stress and the use of procrastination as a maladaptive coping strategy. Addressing procrastination in this context requires a comprehensive approach that considers the underlying trauma and systemic factors that contribute to its occurrence.

References:

Chu, A. and Choi, J. (2005). Rethinking procrastination: positive effects of "active" procrastination behavior on attitudes and performance. The Journal of Social Psychology, 145(3), 245-264. https://doi.org/10.3200/socp.145.3.245-264

Feng, Y., Huang, X., & Liu, S. (2018). Research on academic procrastination among oec students.. https://doi.org/10.2991/meici-18.2018.168

Johansson, F., Edlund, K., Côté, P., Sundberg, T., Onell, C., Rudman, A., … & Skillgate, E. (2023). Associations between procrastination and subsequent health outcomes among university students in sweden. Jama Network Open, 6(1), e2249346. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.49346

Peixoto, E., Pallini, A., Rahimi, S., & Silva, M. (2021). The role of passion for studies on academic procrastination and mental health during the covid-19 pandemic. Social Psychology of Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-021-09636-9

Sirois, F. (2015). Is procrastination a vulnerability factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease? testing an extension of the procrastination–health model. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38(3), 578-589. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-015-9629-2

Sirois, F. and Pychyl, T. (2013). Procrastination and the priority of short‐term mood regulation: consequences for future self. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 7(2), 115-127. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12011

Sirois, F. and Tosti, N. (2012). Lost in the moment? an investigation of procrastination, mindfulness, and well-being. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 30(4), 237-248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-012-0151-y

Ying, Z. and Wang, J. (2023). Internet-based self-help intervention for procrastination: randomized control group trial protocol. Trials, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07112-7

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