Procrastination, Health, and Well-Being

Research on procrastination has grown exponentially in recent years. Studies have revealed that procrastination is an issue of self-regulation failure, and specifically misregulation of emotional states—not simply a time management problem as often presumed. This maladaptive coping strategy is a risk factor not only for poor mental health, but also poor physical health and other aspects of well-being. Procrastination, Health, and Well-Being brings together new and established researchers and theorists who make important connections between procrastination and health.The first section of the book provides an overview of current conceptualizations and philosophical issues in understanding how procrastination relates to health and well-being including a critical discussion of the assumptions and rationalizations that are inherent to procrastination. The next section of the book focuses on current theory and research highlighting the issues and implications of procrastination for physical health and health behaviors, while the third section presents current perspectives on the interrelationships between procrastination and psychological well-being. The volume concludes with an overview of potential areas for future research in the growing field of procrastination, health, and well-being.- Reviews interdisciplinary research on procrastination- Conceptualizes procrastination as an issue of self-regulation and maladaptive coping, not time management- Identifies the public and private health implications of procrastination- Explores the guilt and shame that often accompany procrastination- Discusses temporal views of the stress and chronic health conditions associated with procrastination

About the Author

Dr. Fuschia Sirois is a Reader in the Department of Psychology at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, and an adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Windsor where she was previously a faculty member. From 2011 to 2015 she held a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Health and Well-Being while she was a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Bishop’s University. She obtained an Honors BA in Psychology from the University of Ottawa, and her MA and PhD in Social Psychology from Carleton University. She also holds an Honors BSc in Biochemistry/Nutrition from the University of Ottawa. Dr. Sirois' research focuses on understanding the qualities and traits that may confer risk or resilience for health and well-being related outcomes through their links to self-regulation. For over a decade, her research has systematically investigated the effects of procrastination for health and well-being.Her research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals such as Health Psychology, Social Science and Medicine, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Quality of Life Research, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Self & Identity, Social and Personality Compass, and the Journal of Behavioural Medicine. She has presented numerous papers at peer-reviewed professional conferences, and is the co-author of the first, second, third, and fourth Canadian editions of Shelley Taylor's Health Psychology textbook.

Dr. Pychyl is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, the Director of the Centre for Initiatives in Education and he has a cross-appointment to the School of Linguistics and Language Studies. His research in psychology is focused on the breakdown in volitional action commonly known as procrastination and its relation to personal well being. The winner of numerous teaching awards including the 3M National Teaching Fellowship, Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations Teaching Award and the inaugural recipient of the University Medal for Distinguished Teaching, Dr. Pychyl has taught a doctoral-seminar on university teaching in the department and is regularly invited to speak about teaching at campuses across Canada.