Yes, deceleration can cause time dilation according to the principles of general relativity. In general relativity, the curvature of spacetime is determined by the distribution of mass and energy. When an object accelerates or decelerates, it affects the curvature of spacetime in its vicinity.
During deceleration, an object experiences changes in its motion, and this motion affects the passage of time. Time dilation occurs when an observer's rate of time appears to be different from that of another observer due to relative motion or gravitational effects.
In the case of deceleration, as an object slows down, its rate of time can appear to speed up relative to an observer who remains in a constant velocity state. This effect is typically referred to as "time contraction" since the observer experiences time passing at a faster rate compared to the observer who remains at a constant velocity.
It's important to note that the specific effects of deceleration on time dilation can depend on the details of the situation, such as the specific trajectory, the distribution of mass and energy, and the overall spacetime curvature. However, in general, changes in velocity, including deceleration, can indeed lead to time dilation effects.