Multidimensional Models of Perfectionism and Procrastination: Seeking Determinants of Both

Tomorrow Never Comes: The Risks of Procrastination for Adolescent Health

This study explores the relationship between procrastination and declining healthy habits among adolescents, a topic lacking systematic reviews in the existing literature. The primary purpose is to lay the groundwork for promoting mental health and preventing procrastination as risky behavior. This systematic review examined five areas related to procrastination and its influence on healthy lifestyle habits in adolescents: technology and procrastination; sleep and procrastination; academic procrastination; and the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings highlight that technology misuse is linked with procrastination; adolescents tend to procrastinate when going to sleep; academic procrastination negatively impacts long-term educational achievements, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this phenomenon. Ultimately, it is concluded that procrastination is related to all these aspects and has detrimental effects on adolescents' physical and psychological development.

Unraveling symptom interplay: a network analysis of procrastination in gifted students

BACKGROUND

This study explores the intricate web of symptoms experienced by academically gifted high school students, focusing on procrastination, rumination, perfectionism, and cognitive flexibility. The well-being of these gifted adolescents remains a pivotal concern, and understanding the dynamics of these symptoms is vital.

METHODS

A diverse sample of 207 academically gifted high school students from Mashhad, Iran, participated in this study. Using convenience sampling, participants from grades 10, 11, and 12 were included, with detailed assessments conducted through questionnaires measuring the mentioned symptoms.

RESULTS

Our network analysis uncovers compelling insights into the interplay of these symptoms: Procrastination, though moderately central, exerts significant influence within the network, underscoring its relevance. Cognitive flexibility, while centrally positioned, curiously exhibits a negative influence, potentially serving as a protective factor. Negative perfectionism emerges as the keystone symptom, with both high centrality and a positive influence. Rumination displays substantial centrality and a positive influence, indicating its role in symptom exacerbation. Positive perfectionism, moderately central, lacks direct influence on other symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This network analysis provides a nuanced understanding of the relationships among procrastination, rumination, perfectionism, and cognitive flexibility in academically gifted adolescents. Negative perfectionism and cognitive flexibility emerge as critical factors deserving attention in interventions aimed at enhancing the well-being of this unique group. Further research should explore causal relationships to refine targeted interventions.

Perfectionism, mattering and loneliness in young adulthood of Generation-Z

Introduction

Young adulthood is a transitional period where adults are faced with new social and psychological roles. So, in order to matter and to form relationship with others, they become vulnerable to set exaggerated high standards for themselves and others, which can eventually lead them to experience loneliness.

Objectives

The present study aimed to determine the relationship of perfectionism, mattering with loneliness in young adults of Gen-Z after controlling for covariates. It was also aimed to find out gender differences on perfectionism, mattering and loneliness in young adults.

Method

Correlational research design was used. A sample of 320 students with age ranging from 18 to 24 years, was collected from seven different government and private universities of Lahore through purposive sampling. The sample comprised of 160 male students and 160 female students. Multidimensional perfectionism scale, Mattering scale and UCLA loneliness scale-3 were administered to measure perfectionism, mattering and loneliness respectively.

Results

Pearson product moment correlation showed that closer relationship of young adults with father (p < .01), mother (p < .01) and friends (p < .05) had a significant negative relationship with loneliness. Results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that age was significant negative predictor of loneliness. Self-oriented, other-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism were significant positive predictors of loneliness. Mattering was significant negative predictor of loneliness. Independent sample t-test showed no significant differences between male and female students on perfectionism, mattering and loneliness.

Conclusion

Perfectionist individuals tend to set stringent standards for themselves and others as well. The more they engage in perfectionism, the more they tend to feel that they do not matter to others. Feeling of not mattering to others can possibly lead the person to experience loneliness.

Internet-based self-help intervention for procrastination: randomized control group trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Procrastination or "postponing until later" is a common phenomenon defined as the intentional delay in partaking in and finishing important activities despite negative outcomes potentially outweighing the positive. Procrastination adversely affects mental health, academic performance, and career achievement. Although studies on procrastination intervention methods and effectiveness exist, utility and cost-effectiveness are limited by various factors, including practitioner availability and skills, barriers to participant participation, and the time investment required by participants. Thus, internet-based interventions could increase the availability of evidence-based treatments for adult procrastination.

METHODS

This study explored the efficacy of an online-based self-help intervention in the context of voluntary procrastination among undergraduate psychology students. The study design is a randomized controlled trial. Participants who self-reported procrastination-related problems and behaviours were included in the trial consisting of two groups; specifically, one group undergoing a self-directed internet-based intervention for coping with procrastination (N=160) and (2) another group with delayed access to the intervention programmes (waitlist control group; N=160). Follow-up assessments were scheduled 6 and 12 weeks after baseline, and the control group received the intervention after 12 weeks. Procrastination, measured by the Irrational Procrastination Scale and the Simple Procrastination Scale, was examined as the primary outcome. Meanwhile, secondary outcomes included susceptibility, stress, depression, anxiety, well-being, self-efficacy, time management strategies, self-control, cognition, and emotion regulation. Other measures comprised acceptability (e.g., intervention satisfaction, potential side effects, and expectations) and learning behaviour analysis to reflect adherence.

DISCUSSION

This randomized controlled trial will provide data on the effectiveness of online interventions for adult procrastination. If deemed effective, this low-cost, high-coverage internet-based intervention could aid more people who seek to address their procrastination.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.  https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=171246 .

The Chain Mediating Effect of Negative Perfectionism on Procrastination: An Ego Depletion Perspective

Extant research has consistently demonstrated that negative perfectionism is an important driver of procrastination. However, existing studies suffer from several salient limitations, such as an inadequacy in understanding its mediating mechanism, and the lack of an overarching theoretical framework. Accordingly, the present study adopts the ego depletion theory to investigate how and under what conditions negative perfectionism leads to procrastination. Specifically, we propose that fear of failure and ego depletion serially mediate the effect of negative perfectionism on procrastination, and that cognitive flexibility moderates this chain mediating effect. A three-wave survey consisting of 490 participants, in which negative perfectionism was measured in the first survey, fear of failure and ego depletion were measured in the second, and procrastination was measured in the last survey, lends support to all of our hypotheses. Specifically, our results indicate that (a) negative perfectionism influences procrastination through the chain mediating effect of fear of failure and ego depletion; (b) cognitive flexibility moderates the effect of fear of failure on ego depletion in that the effect is weaker when cognitive flexibility is high rather than low; and (c) cognitive flexibility moderates the chain mediating effect of negative perfectionism on procrastination, such that this chain mediation is weaker when cognitive flexibility is high rather than low. Our findings are discussed in terms of the theoretical contribution to reveal the mechanism by which negative perfectionism results in negative effects from the novel perspective of ego depletion.