A Meta–Analytic and Conceptual Update on the Associations between Procrastination and Multidimensional Perfectionism

Abstract

The equivocal and debated findings from a 2007 meta-analysis, which viewed perfectionism as a unidimensional construct, suggested that perfectionism was unrelated to procrastination. The present meta-analysis aimed to provide a conceptual update and reanalysis of the procrastination-perfectionism association guided by both a multidimensional view of perfectionism and self-regulation theory. The random-effects meta-analyses revealed a small to medium positive average effect size (r = .23; k = 43, N = 10 000; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) [0.19, 0.27]) for trait procrastination and perfectionistic concerns and a small to medium negative average effect size (r = À.22; k = 38, N = 9544; 95% CI [À0.26, À0.18]) for procrastination and perfectionistic strivings. The average correlations remained significant after statistically accounting for the joint variance between the two perfectionism dimensions via semi-partial correlations. For perfectionistic concerns, but not perfectionistic strivings, the effects depended on the perfectionism measure used. All effects did not vary by the trait procrastination measure used or the respondent's sex. Our findings confirm that from a multidimensional perspective, trait procrastination is both positively and negatively associated with higher-order perfectionism dimensions and further highlights the value of a selfregulation perspective for understanding the cognitive, affective and behavioural dynamics that characterise these traits.

Multidimensional Perfectionism and the Big Five Personality Traits: A Meta–Analysis

“…Perfectionistic concerns (alternatively labelled evaluative concerns perfectionism or maladaptive evaluation concerns) involve the fear of making mistakes (Frost et al, ; R. W. Hill et al, ), constant doubts about one's competencies and performance (Frost et al, ), perceiving others as expecting perfection of one‐self (Hewitt & Flett, ), and a perceived discrepancy between one's standards and performance (Slaney, Rice, Mobley, Trippi, & Ashby, ). Perfectionistic concerns are positively associated with maladaptive outcomes such as negative affect (Molnar, Reker, Culp, Sadava, & DeCourville, ), stress (Dunkley, Mandel, & Ma, ), burnout (for a meta‐analysis, see A. P. Hill & Curran, ), and procrastination (for a meta‐analysis, see Sirois, Molnar, & Hirsch, ) and negatively associated with adaptive outcomes such as self‐rated health (Sirois & Molnar, ). Consequently, perfectionistic concerns are commonly regarded as the more maladaptive perfectionism dimension (e.g.…”

“…In the investigation of perfectionism outside of clinical contexts, the multidimensional conceptualization of perfectionisms is by far the most frequently applied approach (for recent meta‐analyses of perfectionistic concerns and perfectionistic strivings, see, e.g. A. P. Hill & Curran, ; A. P. Hill, Mallinson‐Howard, & Jowett, ; Limburg, Watson, Hagger, & Egan, ; Sirois et al, ; Smith et al, ). Second, compared with the unidimensional approach, the multidimensional approach to perfectionism is broader in scope.…”

“…Therefore, the high standards scale (APS‐R, Slaney et al, ) might be more closely related to measures of Conscientiousness than other indicators of perfectionistic strivings. In recent meta‐analyses, the measurement instrument moderated, for instance, the relations of perfectionistic concerns with mastery avoidance, cognitive anxiety (A. P. Hill et al, ), self‐rated‐health (Sirois & Molnar, ), procrastination (Sirois et al, ), and suicide attempts (Smith et al, ). Also, the measurement instrument moderated the relations of residual perfectionistic strivings with sport performance (A. P. Hill et al, ).…”

Targeting Procrastination Using Psychological Treatments: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Although not everyone might have a clinical problem that warrants treatment (Rozental and Carlbring, 2014), studies have revealed significant relationships between self-report measures of procrastination, depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life, with average correlations being in the moderate range (van Eerde, 2003b; Steel, 2007; Beutel et al, 2016). Moreover, procrastination has been linked to perfectionistic concerns (Sirois et al, 2017), rumination and lowered mood (Flett et al, 2016), and excessive worry and generalized anxiety disorder (Stober and Joormann, 2001). Similarly, a number of investigations on the physical and well-being aspects of procrastination have shown that it can affect the ability to initiate and engage in so-called health behaviors, e.g., medical checkups, diets, and exercise (Sirois et al, 2003; 2007).…”

Does perfectionism impact adherence to homework assignment? A preliminary pilot study of perfectionism and procrastination of CBT homework

“…concerns over mistakes, feelings of discrepancy between one's standards and performance, and fears of negative evaluation and rejection by others if one fails to be perfect. A meta-analysis revealed that perfectionistic strivings show negative relationships with procrastination, while perfectionistic concerns show positive relationships with procrastination (Sirois et al, 2017). Clinical perfectionism (Shafran et al, 2002) suggests that perfectionists' pursuit of their standards and their fear of failure in meeting them becomes so aversive that they delay beginning tasks (procrastination), abandon them midway, or avoid them entirely.…”