A study on the correlation between procrastination and the mentalities of anxiety and depression among medical postgraduates

Abstract

Objective To discuss the correlation between procrastination and the mentalities of anxiety and depression among medical postgraduates,so as to carry out mental health work effectively.Methods 423 medical postgraduates in Central South University were assessed randomly, using General Procrastination Scale (GPS),Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS).Results Procrastination score and incidence in medical postgraduates was 54.92±8.40 and 60.99%respectively,the differences of procrastination scores(53.3l±8.21,55.90±8.30,55.75±8.49,P=0.013)and incidences(52.60%,66.09%,65.58%.P =0.028)among three grades were statistically significant.Both total coarse score of anxiety and that of depressionwere higher than that of the whole country(31.24±7.40,29.78±10.07,P=0.000;34.8±8.11,33.46±8.55,P=0.000),the differences were statistically significant.Procrastination had a positive correlation with anxiety and depression significantly(r=0.304,P=0.000;r=0.369,P=0.000),the higher the grade was,the weaker the intensity of correlation was.Hish-delay group,low-delay group and normal-behavior group had different deglees of anxiety(46.63±10.55,44.01±10.12,38.32±7.57,P=0.000)and depression(51.45±10.12,47.81±10.78,40.69±8.23,P=0.000),which was statistically significant.Conclusion Anxiety and depression among medical postgraduates were outstanding and had a close relationship with procrastination behavior,which should be taken seriously and handled by strengthening mental health education. Key words: Medical postgraduates; Procrastination; Anxiety; Depression