The para-hippocampal-medial frontal gyrus functional connectivity mediates the relationship between dispositional optimism and procrastination

Procrastination is a prevalent phenomenon throughout the world, which can lead to worse consequences across life domains, such as academic performance, mental health, and even public policy. Despite the evidence for the association between dispositional optimism and procrastination, the neural mechanisms underlying this link remain unexplored. To address this issue, we employed voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) methods to explore the underlying links between dispositional optimism and procrastination in a large sample (N = 408). The self-report results showed that dispositional optimism was negatively associated with procrastination (r = -.30, p < .001). The VBM analysis indicated that dispositional optimism was positively correlated with gray matter volumes (GMV) in the right para-hippocampal (rPHC), and negatively correlated with GMV in the left cerebellum. Moreover, the functional connectivity analysis with the rPHC as a seed region revealed that rPHC-rMFC (right medial frontal gyrus) functional connectivity was negatively associated with dispositional optimism. Furthermore, the mediation analysis showed that the rPHC-rMFC connectivity partially mediated the relationship between dispositional optimism and procrastination. These results suggested that the rPHC-rMFC connectivity engaged in less task aversiveness by episodic prospection may underlie the association between dispositional optimism and procrastination, which provides a new perspective to understand the relationship between dispositional optimism and procrastination.

Automated summary

Procrastination is a widespread phenomenon that has negative consequences in various aspects of life. This study aimed to explore the neural mechanisms underlying the association between dispositional optimism and procrastination. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) methods were used to analyze a large sample (N = 408). The results showed a negative association between dispositional optimism and procrastination, with dispositional optimism being positively correlated with gray matter volumes (GMV) in the right para-hippocampal (rPHC) and negatively correlated with GMV in the left cerebellum. Functional connectivity analysis revealed that the rPHC-rMFC connectivity was negatively associated with dispositional optimism and partially mediated the relationship between dispositional optimism and procrastination.