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“Just do it tomorrow”: Procrastination in Tunisian university students

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2021

M. Ben Alaya
Affiliation:
Department Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia
U. Ouali*
Affiliation:
Department Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia
E. Bouguira
Affiliation:
Department Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia
Y. Zgueb
Affiliation:
Department Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia
S. Ben Youssef
Affiliation:
Nih, National Institute of Health, Tunis, Tunisia
F. Nacef
Affiliation:
Department Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Procrastination is a common phenomenon among students, defined by the tendency to delay tasks. Procrastination can have a negative impact not only on academic achievement but also on other areas of life.

Objectives

To assess students’ level of procrastination and associated psychological 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 Pure 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, 62% were females and almost 70% were single. The mean level of procrastination was 35 ± 10.42. Procrastination was positively correlated with impulsivity (r= 0.37 p=0.00) and perfectionism (r= 1.32 p= 0.00) and negatively correlated with life satisfaction (r= -0.22 p = 0.00) and self-esteem (r= - 0.12 p= 0.00).

Conclusions

The level of procrastination was relatively high in our study population. As described in the literature, impulsiveness and perfectionism were closely and positively related to procrastination, whereas higher procrastination scores were linked to lower quality of life and self-esteem. Our findings underline the need for counselling services with a focus on procrastination for university students.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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