Procrastination as a Marker of Cognitive Decline: Evidence from Longitudinal Transitions in the Older Adult Population

procrastination
dementia
health
cognitive decline
ageing

Monaghan, C., de Andrade Moral, R, Kelly, M, & McHugh Power, J. Procrastination as a Marker of Cognitive Decline: Evidence from Longitudinal Transitions in the Older Adult Population.

Authors
Affiliations

Cormac Monaghan

Maynooth University

Rafael de Andrade Moral

Maynooth University

Michelle Kelly

National College of Ireland

Joanna McHugh Power

Maynooth University

Abstract

Cognitive decline is a global health concern, making the identification of early, modifiable risk factors essential. While apathy is a recognized prodromal marker, procrastination may also signal early executive dysfunction. We used longitudinal secondary data from the United States Health and Retirement Study among adults aged 60+ \((n = 549; \bar{x} = 69.70;\sigma = 7.58)\). Cognitive function, procrastination, and a proxy measure of apathy were assessed. Transitions between normative cognitive function, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia were modeled using a discrete-time first-order Markov model. Procrastination scores were higher among individuals with MCI or dementia than those with normative cognitive function. Procrastination also interacted with age, disproportionately increasing the risk of decline in the oldest participants. Procrastination was associated with cognitive impairment and predicted transitions to MCI, suggesting it may serve as both an early behavioral marker and compounding risk factor.

BibTeX citation

@unpublished{monaghan2025,
    Author = {Cormac Monaghan, de Andrade Moral, Rafael, Kelly, Michelle, and Power, Joanna McHugh},
    Note = {Working paper},
    Title = {Procrastination as a Marker of Cognitive Decline: Evidence from Longitudinal Transitions in the Older Adult Population},
    Year = {2025}}