Academic procrastination of undergraduates: Low self-efficacy to self-regulate predicts higher levels of procrastination

• Published in: Contemporary educational psychology 2008-10, Vol.33 (4), p.915-931
• Main Authors: Klassen, Robert M., Krawchuk, Lindsey L., Rajani, Sukaina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Anxiety; Biological and medical sciences; College students; Educational psychology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Grade Point Average; Motivation; Prediction; Procrastination; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Pupil and student. Academic achievement and failure; Self Efficacy; Self Esteem; Self Management; Self-regulation; Study Habits; Undergraduate Students; Undergraduates
• ISSN: 0361-476X; 1090-2384
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cedpsych.2007.07.001

This article reports two studies exploring the academic procrastination of 456 undergraduates. Study 1 explores the relationships among academic procrastination, self-regulation, academic self-efficacy, self-esteem, and self-efficacy for self-regulation. Results reveal that although other self-variables are related to procrastination, self-efficacy for self-regulation is most predictive of procrastination tendencies. Study 2 examines academic and motivation characteristics of “negative procrastinators,” the undergraduates who are most adversely influenced by procrastination. The 25% of 195 participants in Study 2 who were classified as negative procrastinators had significantly lower GPAs, higher levels of daily and task procrastination, lower predicted and actual class grades, and lower self-efficacy for self-regulation. After controlling for GPA, daily procrastination and self-efficacy for self-regulation significantly predicted the negative impact of procrastination. The article concludes with a discussion of the importance that self-efficacy for self-regulation holds for procrastination research, and with suggestions for practitioners who work with students who are adversely affected by procrastination.