Trait Procrastination Among Dental Students in India and Its Influence on Academic Performance

Abstract

Trait procrastination is believed to be highly prevalent among college students and detrimental to their educational performance. As the scenario among dental students is virtually unknown, this study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of trait procrastination among dental students and to analyze its inluence on their academic performance. A total of 174 fourthyear dental students from three dental colleges in India voluntarily completed the Lay's Procrastination Scale-student version (LPS). The mean percentage marks scored in the subsequent inal university examinations were used as a measure of academic performance. The descriptive statistics were computed to evaluate the prevalence of signiicant procrastination (LPS score ≥60). Mann-Whitney U test and multiple linear regressions were used to assess the inluence of age and gender on procrastination severity, and the latter was again used to analyze the association between procrastination severity and academic performance. The results indicated that 27 percent (n=47) of the students exhibited a signiicant extent of trait procrastination; neither age nor gender affected its severity (p<0.05). Procrastination had a signiicant and negative impact on the academic performance of the student (beta=-0.150, p=0.039). These indings highlight the need for active measures to reduce the causes and consequences of procrastination in dental education.

Psychometric Properties of the Procrastination Assessment Scale-Student (PASS) in a Student Sample of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences

“…The predictive validity of the procrastination scale was confirmed by the negative correlation (r = -0.131) between the scores of procrastination and the students’ average score. We found no significant difference in academic procrastination vis-à-vis gender, which chimes in with previous studies in Turkey and India ( 15 , 32 ).…”

“…Procrastination is also correlated positively and significantly with test anxiety ( 13 ). In consequence, academic procrastination is likely to interfere with academic achievement ( 14 , 15 ). The significance of the different medical fields dictates that medical students study deeply and gradually; it is, thus, advisable that procrastinating medical students and the reasons behind their procrastination be pinpointed so that information can be provided to them as regards the consequences of their procrastination.…”

Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Academic Procrastination

“…Academic procrastination is associated with major dysfunction at the academic performance ( Madhan et al, 2012 ) and reduces psychological well-being ( Van Eerde, 2003 ). Students who procrastinate are more likely to experience depression and social anxiety than students who don’t procrastinate ( Mohammadi Bytamar et al, 2017 ).…”

Emotional intelligence a academic procrastination among junior college nursing students

“…Academic procrastination is the practice of avoiding and postponing academic activities (Solomon & Rothblum, ), and is a widespread phenomenon. Approximately 13.8–49.9% of students who pursue health care as a college major procrastinate in relation to their academic tasks until the deadline (Madhan et al, ; Mortazavi, Mortazavi, & Khosrorad, ). Academic procrastination can lead to not only poor academic performance (Kim & Seo, ), but also negative emotional reactions such as frustration, anxiety and shame or guilt (Martinčeková & Enright, ).…”