Change of Academic Procrastination by Demographic Characteristics: A Research on University Students

Abstract

Academic procrastination leads to the delay of a job and at the same time it creates anxiety and stress. As a result of this situation, academic performance is negatively affected. Many variables can lead to the emergence of academic procrastination behaviour. This study aimed to examine the change of academic procrastination in university students with various demographic characteristics. A total of 260 students studying at 7 different faculties of a state university participated in the study, which was conducted using the survey model, one of the quantitative research methods. Research data were collected using academic procrastination scale and personal information form. The findings obtained as a result of the analysis revealed that while some of the variables discussed in the study had significant effects on academic procrastination, some did not affect it. Consistent with the results of the relevant research, it was seen that gender and academic performance had significant effects on academic procrastination, and it was determined that the variables of willingness for the department and accommodation status caused statistically significant differences on academic procrastination in university students. The results obtained from the study reveal the necessity for considering demographic and social factors as well as cognitive and psychological characteristics in studies on academic procrastination.