Pages: 14-23

Abstract

Procrastination is a behavioral phenomenon that is described as delays in doing tasks and causes stress, guilty feelings, and a severe reduction in individual productivity. It also leads to social uncertainty due to non-commitment to duties and responsibilities. The purpose of this research was to determine the role of conscientiousness and perceived stress in behavioral procrastination through self-regulatory mediation. This research was a fundamental-correlational study. In this study, from among the student population of Tabriz University in the academic year 2017-18, 300 students were selected by using cluster random sampling method. To measure the data, we used Lee and Man's procrastination evaluation scale, Cohen Perceived Stress Scale and Self-Monitoring Evaluation Scale. Using structural equations modeling method, the results of data analysis showed that self-regulation can mediate the relationships between conscientiousness and perceived stress with the behavioral procrastination. In this regard, the measured model is of good fit with the theoretical model. These findings have practical implications for reducing students’ procrastination and suggest that personality traits and behavioral skills play a key role in the emergence of procrastination.