Directional Asymmetry Without Timescale Dependence: Longitudinal Associations Between Procrastination and Depressive Symptoms.
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| Title: | Directional Asymmetry Without Timescale Dependence: Longitudinal Associations Between Procrastination and Depressive Symptoms. |
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| Authors: | Zhang, Rong (AUTHOR), Tan, Huaxian (AUTHOR), Wang, Lin (AUTHOR), Zhang, Shunmin (AUTHOR), Manthey, Marie Kristin (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269). 4/29/2026, Vol. 2026, p1-8. 8p. |
| Subjects: | Procrastination, Mental depression, Longitudinal method, Emotion regulation |
| Abstract: | Background: Longitudinal research has examined procrastination‐emotion dynamics across diverse temporal intervals, yet it remains unclear whether findings obtained at different timescales reflect distinct underlying mechanisms. Guided by an emotion‐regulation account, the present study tested the hypotheses that negative emotions predicted subsequent procrastination more strongly at shorter intervals, whereas procrastination predicted increases in depressive symptoms over longer intervals. Methods: To test whether the procrastination‐depressive symptoms coupling varied across temporal scales, we integrated three longitudinal datasets (i.e., daily, 1‐month, and half‐yearly intervals) and compared models in which within‐person lagged effects (i.e., from depressive symptoms to procrastination and the reverse path) were allowed to vary versus constrained to be invariant across timescales. Directional paths were then reported based on the better‐fitting model. Results: Model comparisons favored the timescale‐invariant model over the timescale‐variant model for both directional paths. Across multiple temporal scales, the timescale‐invariant model showed negligible effects of depressive symptoms on subsequent procrastination, while procrastination predicted increases in depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Contrary to timescale‐dependent expectations, no evidence for temporally distinct mechanisms was observed within the examined intervals. Instead, the findings reveal a modest directional asymmetry across timescales, suggesting that procrastination may have consistent but small effects on subsequent increases in depressive symptoms rather than forming a reciprocal feedback loop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269) is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: Longitudinal research has examined procrastination‐emotion dynamics across diverse temporal intervals, yet it remains unclear whether findings obtained at different timescales reflect distinct underlying mechanisms. Guided by an emotion‐regulation account, the present study tested the hypotheses that negative emotions predicted subsequent procrastination more strongly at shorter intervals, whereas procrastination predicted increases in depressive symptoms over longer intervals. Methods: To test whether the procrastination‐depressive symptoms coupling varied across temporal scales, we integrated three longitudinal datasets (i.e., daily, 1‐month, and half‐yearly intervals) and compared models in which within‐person lagged effects (i.e., from depressive symptoms to procrastination and the reverse path) were allowed to vary versus constrained to be invariant across timescales. Directional paths were then reported based on the better‐fitting model. Results: Model comparisons favored the timescale‐invariant model over the timescale‐variant model for both directional paths. Across multiple temporal scales, the timescale‐invariant model showed negligible effects of depressive symptoms on subsequent procrastination, while procrastination predicted increases in depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Contrary to timescale‐dependent expectations, no evidence for temporally distinct mechanisms was observed within the examined intervals. Instead, the findings reveal a modest directional asymmetry across timescales, suggesting that procrastination may have consistent but small effects on subsequent increases in depressive symptoms rather than forming a reciprocal feedback loop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10914269 |
| DOI: | 10.1155/da/3056943 |
