PLOS: Procrastination Emerges as a Leading Cause of Stress Among Young People

October 20, 2026 12:48

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found that procrastination — the habit of putting off important tasks — is one of the most common sources of stress among university students. It was also more frequently associated with negative effects on academic performance than any other problem. The findings were published in the journal PLOS ONE.

Scientists analyzed survey data from 65,950 students at 97 higher education institutions across the United States. Participants were asked about 36 problems related to their studies, health, and everyday lives, including financial difficulties, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and family problems.

Procrastination was the most common problem, reported by 72.3% of respondents. Meanwhile, 45.7% of students said that putting off tasks caused them significant stress. In addition, 45.4% of participants reported that procrastination negatively affected their academic performance.

The impact of this habit on academic performance was considerably more pronounced than that of several other problems. For example, procrastination affected grades 2.8 times more often than financial difficulties and 3.5 times more often than attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The problem was particularly prevalent among undergraduate students, although it was also widespread among master's and doctoral students.

Researchers define procrastination as the unnecessary delay of actions despite potentially negative consequences. In an academic setting, it can manifest as repeatedly postponing assignment deadlines, preparing for exams at the last minute, and putting off important projects. Such behavior can increase stress and reduce productivity.