We’ve all been there: delaying a chore, putting off a work project, or finding any excuse to avoid a tedious task. While occasional procrastination is a normal part of life, experts are now warning that when it becomes a frequent pattern, especially in teenagers, it could be a red flag for underlying mental health struggles, particularly low self-esteem.
According to Fiona Yassin, a leading expert at The Wave Clinic, procrastination is more than just poor time management; it can be a behavioral symptom of how someone feels about themselves. “Procrastinating behaviour can be a warning sign to parents that their child is suffering with low self-esteem,” Yassin explains. This creates a complex and damaging cycle that can be difficult to break without intervention.
The link works in two ways. On one hand, a teenager with low self-esteem may deeply doubt their abilities. “Adolescents with low self-esteem may have less belief in their ability to complete a task well, causing them to avoid it,” Yassin says. The fear of failure or not meeting expectations can be so paralyzing that not trying at all feels safer than trying and potentially failing. This avoidance is what we see as procrastination.
Conversely, the act of procrastination itself can fuel low self-esteem. Continuously putting things off often leads to poorer academic performance, missed deadlines, and increased stress. These negative outcomes then reinforce the individual’s belief that they are incapable or inadequate, further eroding their self-worth. Yassin describes this as a “vicious cycle,” where low self-esteem leads to procrastination, which in turn leads to even lower self-esteem.
The good news is that this cycle can be broken. Yassin highlights that therapy, including family therapy, can be highly effective. It can help address underlying issues like parental pressure and help families establish healthier dynamics that build a teen’s confidence and self-efficacy, providing them with the tools to step out of the cycle of delay and self-doubt.
