Academic procrastination in university students: Associated factors and impact on academic performance
Introduction Academic procrastination is a specific sub-type of procrastination, assessing the tendency to delay academic tasks in connection with the preparation of courses or exams. Objectives To determine the impact of academic procrastination on studies and academic performances and identify...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-04-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821020137/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797617486319845376 |
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| author | M. Ben Alaya U. Ouali S. Ben Youssef A. Aissa F. Nacef |
| author_facet | M. Ben Alaya U. Ouali S. Ben Youssef A. Aissa F. Nacef |
| author_sort | M. Ben Alaya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Academic procrastination is a specific sub-type of procrastination, assessing the tendency to delay academic tasks in connection with the preparation of courses or exams.
Objectives
To determine the impact of academic procrastination on studies and academic performances and identify associated factors.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in students from three different universities: a medical school, a law school and an engineering school. Socio-demographic, clinical and academic data were collected. Procrastination was assessed using the Academic Procrastination Scale. We further administered the Short Version of the impulsive behaviour scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Perfectionism scale, and the one item Self-esteem Scale.
Results
Our sample consisted of 1019 students. The mean age was 22 ± 2.25 years, and 62% were females. About one third of study participants used tobacco or alcohol, and 10% used drugs (cannabis or others). We found a significant positive correlation between procrastination and academic failure (r=0.22 p= 0.00) and a negative correlation with academic success (r= -0.27 p=0.00). Multivariate regression analysis showed the following risk factors for academic procrastination: alcohol consumption (ORa= 1.74 [1.14; 2.67]), study field (with reference to medicine: law ORa= 1.50 [1.02; 2.19], engineering studies ORa= 2.01 [1.34; 3.02]), and impulsivity (ORa= 2.11 [1.55; 2.86]).
Conclusions
Academic procrastination has a negative impact on academic achievement and performance. This impact appears to differ depending on the field of study. It also seems closely related to impulsiveness and alcohol use. Our findings might contribute to find new ways of helping students to improve academic performance.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:56:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-64a62251af0c48cf917d5055e03913e4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:56:46Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-64a62251af0c48cf917d5055e03913e42023-11-17T05:05:29ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852021-04-0164S759S76010.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.2013Academic procrastination in university students: Associated factors and impact on academic performanceM. Ben Alaya0U. Ouali1S. Ben Youssef2A. Aissa3F. Nacef4Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Manouba, TunisiaDepartment Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Manouba, TunisiaNih, National Institute of Health, Tunis, TunisiaDepartment Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Manouba, TunisiaDepartment Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia Introduction Academic procrastination is a specific sub-type of procrastination, assessing the tendency to delay academic tasks in connection with the preparation of courses or exams. Objectives To determine the impact of academic procrastination on studies and academic performances and identify associated factors. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in students from three different universities: a medical school, a law school and an engineering school. Socio-demographic, clinical and academic data were collected. Procrastination was assessed using the Academic Procrastination Scale. We further administered the Short Version of the impulsive behaviour scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Perfectionism scale, and the one item Self-esteem Scale. Results Our sample consisted of 1019 students. The mean age was 22 ± 2.25 years, and 62% were females. About one third of study participants used tobacco or alcohol, and 10% used drugs (cannabis or others). We found a significant positive correlation between procrastination and academic failure (r=0.22 p= 0.00) and a negative correlation with academic success (r= -0.27 p=0.00). Multivariate regression analysis showed the following risk factors for academic procrastination: alcohol consumption (ORa= 1.74 [1.14; 2.67]), study field (with reference to medicine: law ORa= 1.50 [1.02; 2.19], engineering studies ORa= 2.01 [1.34; 3.02]), and impulsivity (ORa= 2.11 [1.55; 2.86]). Conclusions Academic procrastination has a negative impact on academic achievement and performance. This impact appears to differ depending on the field of study. It also seems closely related to impulsiveness and alcohol use. Our findings might contribute to find new ways of helping students to improve academic performance. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821020137/type/journal_articleacademic performancealcohol useProcrastinationImpulsivity |
| spellingShingle | M. Ben Alaya U. Ouali S. Ben Youssef A. Aissa F. Nacef Academic procrastination in university students: Associated factors and impact on academic performance European Psychiatry academic performance alcohol use Procrastination Impulsivity |
| title | Academic procrastination in university students: Associated factors and impact on academic performance |
| title_full | Academic procrastination in university students: Associated factors and impact on academic performance |
| title_fullStr | Academic procrastination in university students: Associated factors and impact on academic performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Academic procrastination in university students: Associated factors and impact on academic performance |
| title_short | Academic procrastination in university students: Associated factors and impact on academic performance |
| title_sort | academic procrastination in university students associated factors and impact on academic performance |
| topic | academic performance alcohol use Procrastination Impulsivity |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821020137/type/journal_article |
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