General procrastination associated with the evening preference in healthy people but not with circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders with phase delay.

Abstract

Procrastination behavior has been reportedly associated with the evening preference. This study aimed to evaluate its difference between patients with circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders with phase delay (CRSWDswPD) and healthy controls in terms of evening preference and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Thirty patients with CRSWDswPD and 29 healthy participants were included. In both groups, the general procrastination scale (GPS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) were administered. Additionally, Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and autism spectrum quotient (AQ) were also assessed in the patient group. Unexpectedly, GPS was not statistically different between patients with CRSWDswPD and healthy controls. GPS was significantly higher with lower MEQ in the healthy group, whereas the opposite tendency was observed in the patient group. Higher AQ, ASRS, and BDI tended to be associated with higher GPS in the patient group, with the first two being statistically significant. The results suggest that general procrastination is not significantly associated with CRSWDswPD, although it is associated with evening preference in healthy participants. Procrastination in the patient group may be associated with developmental disorders or depression tendencies. Future studies should include simultaneous measurement of circadian markers, other behavioral assessments, a larger population, and untreated patients.