# Self-esteem mediates the relationship between the parahippocampal gyrus and decisional procrastination at resting state

## TL;DR

This study shows that brain activity in the parahippocampal gyrus is linked to decisional procrastination, with self-esteem acting as a mediator.

## Contribution

The study reveals a new neural mechanism involving the parahippocampal gyrus and self-esteem in decisional procrastination.

## Key findings

- Activity in the caudal PHG predicts avoidant decision-making styles.
- Self-esteem mediates the relationship between cPHG activity and decisional procrastination.
- The PHG's role in procrastination is expanded to include decisional procrastination.

## Abstract

When faced with a conflict or dilemma, we tend to postpone or even avoid making a decision. This phenomenon is known as decisional procrastination. Here, we investigated the neural correlates of this phenomenon, in particular the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) that has previously been identified in procrastination studies. In this study, we applied an individual difference approach to evaluate participants’ spontaneous neural activity in the PHG and their decisional procrastination levels, assessed outside the fMRI scanner. We discovered that the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in the caudal PHG (cPHG) could predict participants’ level of decisional procrastination, as measured by the avoidant decision-making style. Importantly, participants’ self-esteem mediated the relationship between the cPHG and decisional procrastination, suggesting that individuals with higher levels of spontaneous activity in the cPHG are likely to have higher levels of self-esteem and thus be more likely to make decisions on time. In short, our study broadens the PHG’s known role in procrastination by demonstrating its link with decisional procrastination and the mediating influence of self-esteem, underscoring the need for further exploration of this mediation mechanism.