Procrastination Pattern, Distraction Strategy, and Mental Health

Abstract

  The purposes of the present study were to identify 3 patterns of procrastination, using a scale of awareness of procrastination, and to examine the mental health of 3 groups who engaged in the 3 patterns.  After a questionnaire was completed by 235 undergraduates, the participants were divided into 3 groups according to their principal component scores, and their mean scores on mental health and distraction scales were compared.  Analysis of variance revealed the following: (a) The pattern of procrastination that results in negative emotions was maladaptive procrastination.  Participants who had engaged repeatedly in negative patterns of procrastination were dysfunctionally distracted and might become mentally ill. (b) Optimistic patterns of procrastination that were engaged in so as to alleviate a mood helped procrastinators forget the task so that while procrastinating, they enjoyed distractions.  However, this pattern often resulted in dependence on the distractions. (c) The pattern of procrastination that included planning and positive feelings was adaptive procrastination.  This pattern may have been engaged in temporarily in order to clarify a goal, and may have assisted in goal clarification and preventing bad moods.