Individual traits and a tendency to procrastinate among students

Abstract

Systematic psychological studies of procrastination started quite recently – in the late eighties. Scientists suggest that procrastination concerns many people, most often, however, it occurs among students. The percentage of affected reaches 70–95%. Despite that, not many studies looking at Polish students have been carried out. The aim of the current study was to analyze a relationship between chosen individual characteristics (personality traits), self-esteem, self-efficiency and procrastination among students. The experiment used: Procrastination Questionnaire, Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI), Self-Assessment Scale and a Generalised Effectiveness Scale. 140 participants were empoloyed (75 females and 65 males). No gender difference in terms of procrastination was found. The most important predictive factor of procrastination was conscientiousness. Other important factors were time management and being systematic, strong will, the awareness of procrastination, procrastination as a trait, and a lack of punctuality. Weak predictors, significant only for some scales measuring procrastination, were: extroversion, neuroticism, openness, self-esteem and self-efficiency. The research, however, needs a continuation, because procrastination can lead to serious problems.