Treating Adult and Atypical Procrastination

Abstract

In Chapter 9 we presented a theory-based, structured therapeutic program aimed at reducing procrastination. This time-limited program was primarily relevant to treatment of procrastinating college students. The premises regarding the etiologies of procrastination that we introduce in this book were used to shape the content of those interventions. Specifically, we stated that procrastination is most typically caused by two distinct and apparently independent etiologies: (1) neurotic overarousal, which causes task avoidance because of anxiousness or fear associated with undertaking specific projects or class assignments; and (2) a lack of conscientiousness associated with not giving sufficient forethought to deadlines, under-arousal regarding upcoming goals, and possibly also impulsiveness. We also presented some preliminary outcome data suggesting that the brief interventions highlighted in the preceding Chapter had some efficacy over and above an attention-placebo treatment group, traditional psychotherapy, or a simple study-skills training group.