Trajectories of procrastination among Swedish University students over one academic year: a cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background Procrastination is common among university students and associated with adverse outcomes such as physical and mental health problems. According to the Temporal motivation theory procrastination may vary over time depending on the temporal proximity to goals and deadlines. Aims To determine if mean procrastination levels among university students varies over an academic year, and if trajectories of procrastination are moderated by gender identity, perfectionistic strivings, and/or perfectionistic concerns. Sample Swedish university students (n = 1410). Methods The cohort was followed with web-surveys at four time-points over one academic year (Late semester, Mid semester, After semester, and Early semester). Generalized Estimating Equations were used to estimate mean levels of self-rated procrastination at the different time-points. Results We found only small fluctuations in mean procrastination levels over the academic year. Participants with high perfectionistic concerns demonstrated higher mean procrastination levels at all time-points, but neither gender identity, perfectionistic concerns nor perfectionistic strivings affected the slope of the mean procrastination trajectories. Conclusions In this cohort of Swedish university students, self-rated procrastination levels were stable over the academic year. Perfectionistic concerns, but not gender identity or perfectionistic strivings, was associated with higher levels of procrastination.

Keywords

• Procrastination
• Perfectionism
• University students