Procrastination as a marker of cognitive decline: Evidence from longitudinal transitions in the older adult population

Monaghan, Cormac, de Andrade Moral, Rafael, Kelly, Michelle E. and McHugh Power, Joanna E. (2026) Procrastination as a marker of cognitive decline: Evidence from longitudinal transitions in the older adult population. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 18 (1). ISSN 2352-8729

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Abstract

Introduction: 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.

Methods: We used longitudinal secondary data from the United States Health and Retirement Study among adults aged 60+ (n=549;¯x=69.70;s=7.58). Cognitive function, procrastination, depression, 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.

Results: 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.

Discussion: 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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	aging; apathy; dementia risk; executive dysfunction; mild cognitive impairment; procrastination
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Cognition R Medicine > Diseases > Brain - Diseases > Dementia H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > Welfare of older people
Divisions:	School of Business and Social Sciences > Staff Research and Publications
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	31 Jan 2026 14:31
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2026 11:25
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/9113

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