Individual Differences Research

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Individual Differences Research > Volume 12, Issue 1 (2014) > 8-11

Procrastination and Mental Health Coping: A Brief Report Related to Students

Joseph R. Ferrari, Juan Francisco Díaz-Morales

Abstract

Research relating procrastination and mental health suggests that poor adjustment may be explained directly by the stress resulted from worry/anxiety over the delay, and indirectly by the tendency to put off important coping behaviors. In the present study, participants (80 women, 24 men; age range = 18-33 years, M age = 21.12 years old, SD = 2.03) completed Spanish versions of a measure of coping behaviors related to mental health and a procrastination inventory evaluating the tendency to avoid starting or completing tasks across a variety of everyday situations. Results indicated that procrastinators compared to non-procrastinators reported significantly lower positive actions and expression feelings/needs. Significant predictors of procrastination by students were low positive actions, expressing feelings, and assertiveness. Implications are considered relevant to student personality and development.