Cross-lagged relations between delayed actions and the wandering mind

The present study investigated the longitudinal relationship between procrastination and mind wandering. A total of 196 Chinese adults participated in the study across three time points, spaced four months apart. Findings based on a cross-lagged panel model suggested that procrastination predicted mind wandering over time, but not the vice versa, thereby indicating the unidimensionality of effects from procrastination to mind wandering. Procrastination may be attributed to self-regulatory failure, resulting in off-task activities such as mind wandering. However, mind wandering does not necessarily lead to dilatory behaviors. The present findings provide insight to practitioners regarding the predictive effects of procrastination on mind wandering.

Automated summary

The present study found that procrastination predicts mind wandering over time, while mind wandering does not necessarily lead to procrastination. This suggests that procrastination may be a result of self-regulatory failure.