Religion and behavioral procrastination: Mediating effects of locus of control and content of prayer

Beata Zarzycka,Tomasz Liszewski,Marek Marzel

doi:10.1007/s12144-019-00251-8

Beata Zarzycka, Tomasz Liszewski + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00251-8

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Abstract

Religion is a significant predictor of self-regulatory processes. Procrastination has been described as the very essence of self-regulatory failure. In this study, we examined the relationship between religiousness and procrastination, with locus of control and styles of prayer playing mediating roles. These relationships were tested using data from 196 students. We applied the Centrality of Religiosity Scale, Levenson’s Locus of Control Scale, the God Control Scale, the Content of Prayer Scale, and the Behavioral Procrastination Scale. The results showed that: God control fully mediates the effects of ideology and intellect on procrastination; internal control fully mediates the effect of public prayer and religious experience on procrastination; and passive style of prayer was a mediator in the relationship between centrality of religion and procrastination. Our findings suggest that religious people may give up internal control, believing that their matters are in God’s hands. Being subject to God’s power provides them with a replacement form of control, which reduces problems of self-regulation.

Highlights

Religion is a significant predictor of self-regulatory processes
Centrality of Religion–Locus of Control–Behavioral Procrastination Mediation Analyses We conducted a series of regression mediation analyses with internal, God, chance/ fate, and powerful others control as parallel mediators in the centrality–behavioral procrastination relationship
Our research suggests that the relationship between centrality of religion and procrastination is not direct

Summary

Participants

Participants were 196 students (116 females and 80 males). Based on the results for the whole group we established correlations between centrality of religion, locus of control, and procrastination. Where styles of prayer were tested as mediators, it was necessary to include only those students who pray on a regular basis. Participants responded to this item using a scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 9 (Several times a day). Those who declared that they prayed at least once a day were included in the analysis.

12 Passive

Study Design

Discussion