PROCRASTINATION AND ANXIETY AMONG PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS IN A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN EAST MALAYSIA

Abstract

Procrastination is prevalent and pernicious but not entirely understood. It has been seen as a universal phenomenon that hinders people’s ability to accomplish their goals. Procrastination can be defined as lack or absence of self regulated performance and the behavioural tendency to delay what is necessary to reach a goal. It appears to be a troubling phenomenon and yet human beings have been procrastinating for centuries. University students are the backbone of society. They need to be aware of their procrastination attitude so that they could tackle the problem. Anxiety on the other hand is a negative feeling. Studies show that a relationship exists between procrastination and anxiety. However very few studies investigate procrastination and anxiety, especially among Psychology and Social Work students in the public university in Malaysia. In view of this, the objectives of this study are to examine: (1) the difference in procrastination by gender; (2) the difference in anxiety by gender; (3) the relationship between procrastination and anxiety. This study managed to get 304 samples for the objectives above. The difference of gender was tested by t-test; while the relationship between procrastination and anxiety was tested by correlation. The results of this study indicated that female students engaged more in major procrastination, whereas male students engaged more in moderate procrastination. However, there were no significant differences on procrastination and anxiety between gender. The finding also showed a significant relationship between procrastination and anxiety.