A systematic review on the association between ADHD and procrastination

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Procrastination is a common self-regulation issue in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
• The precise relationship and underlying mechanisms between ADHD and procrastination require further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize quantitative research on the association between ADHD and procrastination.
• To identify consistent findings and potential mechanisms linking ADHD symptoms to procrastination behavior.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across major databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, PubMed) adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
• Included peer-reviewed quantitative studies assessing ADHD (diagnosis or symptoms) and procrastination using validated instruments.
• Eleven studies with a total of 2788 participants met the inclusion criteria.

Main Results:

• A consistent positive association was found between ADHD symptoms and procrastination across the included studies.
• Inattention symptoms demonstrated the strongest correlation with procrastination.
• Evidence suggests the involvement of executive functioning deficits, emotion dysregulation, and motivational factors, primarily from cross-sectional data.

Conclusions:

• A robust link exists between ADHD symptoms and procrastination.
• Methodological limitations, such as reliance on cross-sectional designs, prevent causal conclusions.
• Future research should utilize longitudinal and multi-method approaches to elucidate the causal pathways.