Assessment of chronic procrastination in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Procrastination, defined as the voluntary delay of intended actions, affects personal and academic tasks and is linked to decreased quality of life and well-being. This study evaluates the prevalence, causes, and effects of chronic procrastination among adults in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on demographic associations, psychological impacts, and coping strategies.

Objective

To determine the prevalence of chronic procrastination among adults in Saudi Arabia, identify its demographic and psychological predictors, and evaluate its effects on personal well-being, academic performance, and daily functioning.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,093 participants, aged 18–55 years, residing in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through a self-administered online survey covering demographics, procrastination behaviors, and coping strategies. Statistical analysis, including chi-square and exact probability tests, identified associations between procrastination frequency and demographic factors.

Results

Of the participants, approximately 70% reported frequent procrastination, with academic tasks (56.6%) and household chores (13.9%) being the most delayed activities. Common reasons for procrastination included poor time management (76.2%), boredom (59.7%), and lack of motivation (57.3%). Over 65% experienced health impacts, such as sleep problems and stress. Procrastination significantly affected both personal life (55.1%) and work/studies (70%). Time management, task division, and deadline-setting were the most utilized strategies, though effectiveness varied.

Conclusion

The study indicates a high prevalence of procrastination among young adults, particularly students, with detrimental impacts on personal and academic functioning. Training programs focused on time management and prioritization could help reduce procrastination.

Categories

Psychology, Behavioral science, Time management, Well-being.

Introduction

When we “voluntarily delay an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay”, we engage in the form of self-regulatory failure known as procrastination [1]. A typical example of procrastination is delaying the funding of a personal retirement plan, emphasizing that there is no time like the present to start saving for retirement [2]. Procrastination also frequently occurs in academic settings. Students assigned different roles, such as writing term papers, preparing for assessments, undertaking weekly reading assignments, handling academic admin tasks, attending classes, and participating in school social events, often delay these vital activities, pushing them into the future [3]. Working professionals are particularly susceptible to chronic procrastination. Interestingly, about 25% of adults regard procrastination as a defining personality trait [4].

Procrastination is associated with a lower quality of life, wealth, and well-being [5]. However, there remains significant disagreement about whether procrastination could be a beneficial work technique; some even propose that it might be advantageous for us [6, 7]. For example, they argue that irrational behavior, including procrastination, has no proven effects, noting that ‘the normative interpretation of deviations as mistakes does not follow from an empirical investigation linking deviations to negative outcomes’ and ‘Notably missing is an investigation of whether people who deviate from axiomatic rationality face economically significant losses’ [8].

For a deeper understanding of this issue and its resolution, this study aims to assess the prevalence of chronic procrastination among adults in Saudi Arabia, identify its demographic and psychological predictors, and evaluate its effects on personal well-being, academic performance, and daily functioning.

Methods

Study design and setting

To determine the prevalence, demographic and psychological predictors, and effects of chronic procrastination among adults in Saudi Arabia, a cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2024 and October 2024 using an online survey. The inclusion criteria for participants were residency in Saudi Arabia and an age range of 18 to 55 years. A sample size of approximately 385 participants was calculated with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ± 5%.

Data sources and measurement

We gathered data using a self-administered online survey, which was disseminated via social media channels. This newly structured, self-developed survey contained sections on demographic information, procrastination behaviors, underlying causes, and strategies to address procrastination. The measures used to assess procrastination behaviors, underlying causes, and strategies were reviewed by experts in the field to ensure their validity. Additionally, the reliability of these measures was confirmed through appropriate testing, ensuring they are consistent and reliable for this study. The survey was originally designed in English and then translated into Arabic. To ensure voluntary participation and preserve anonymity, an electronic informed consent form was provided at the onset of the survey. The main end variable for determining the prevalence of chronic procrastination was the self-reported frequency and types of delayed tasks. Secondary variables included demographic characteristics, reasons for procrastination, the duration spent on procrastinating activities, coping strategies, and their psychological effect on wellness and daily functions.

Participant recruitment

Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling method through online distribution. Adults aged 18 to 55 years were eligible to participate, as this range includes individuals likely to face procrastination in academic, professional, and personal settings. Informed consent was obtained electronically. While this method allowed for efficient data collection, it may introduce selection bias and limit generalizability.

Ethical considerations

Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (approval number: 630/2024). This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Participation was entirely voluntary, with all participants informed about the study’s objectives and their right to withdraw at any time without any consequences.

Statistical analysis

For all statistical studies, IBM SPSS version 22 was utilized. The demographic characteristics and procrastination habits of the participants were evaluated using descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages. Relationships were scrutinized using Pearson chi-square tests for independence and exact probability tests, with statistical significance indicated at an alpha level of 0.05. The Monte Carlo exact probability test was used to ensure accuracy when expected cell counts were small. Participants who responded “often” or “always” to the question “How often do you find yourself procrastinating?” were categorized as frequent procrastinators.

Results

A total of 1093 eligible participants completed the study questionnaire. Precisely 469 (42.9%) were from the central region, 291 (26.6%) from the western region, 130 (11.9%) from the eastern region, and 127 (11.6%) from the southern region. The age of participants varied from 18 to 55 years with a mean of 23.5 ± 12.9 years. Out of the total, 964 (88.2%) were females. Concerning educational level, 873 (79.9%) possessed a university-level education, 174 (15.9%) had a secondary-level education or below, and 16 (1.5%) had a post-graduate degree. Notably, 1050 (96.1%) were single, and 37 (3.4%) were married. Regarding employment, 1014 (92.8%) were students, and 35 (3.2%) were employed (Table 1).

Table 1 Personal characteristics of study participants, Saudi Arabia (n = 1093)

The frequency and pattern of procrastination among study participants are as follows (Table 2): Almost 70% of the study participants often or always procrastinate. Additionally, 81% concurred that they often find themselves performing tasks that they should have completed days before, 67.4% do not solicit help from others, and 43.3% agreed that they struggle with setting priorities, treating every task as if it holds equal importance. The activities that were most often delayed included academic or study tasks (56.6%), household chores (13.9%), health-related activities (10.6%), and personal tasks (10%). Precisely 6.7% reported procrastinating on all tasks. Regarding time spent on activities conducive to procrastination, such as social media use and watching TV, 584 participants (53.4%) reported spending more than 4 h daily, while 210 participants (19.2%) reported spending between 3 and 4 h daily. As for feelings of guilt resulting from procrastination, 85.1% of the participants experienced this often or always.

Table 2 Frequency and pattern of procrastinating among study participants, Saudi Arabia (n = 1093)

Considering the primary reasons for procrastination among study participants (Fig. 1), the most reported were poor time management (76.2%), boredom (59.7%), distraction (57.9%), lack of motivation (57.3%), and overwhelming task load (54.3%).

Fig. 1

The main reasons for procrastination among study participants in Saudi Arabia

The impact of chronic procrastination on the psychological well-being and daily functioning of the study participants is significant (Table 3). A total of 55.1% of the study participants reported a large or extreme impact of procrastination on their personal lives, including relationships and personal goals. Furthermore, 70% reported a large or extreme impact of procrastination on their work or studies. Additionally, 720 participants, accounting for 65.9% of the sample, observed health effects due to procrastination, such as sleep problems and stress.

Table 3 The impact of chronic procrastination on psychological well-being and daily functioning of the study participants

Factors associated with the frequency of procrastination among study participants were explored (Table 4). A total of 78.5% of residents in the Eastern region reported procrastination, compared to 72.2% in the Western region and only 66.1% in the Central region (P =.063). Procrastination was more frequently reported by participants between 25 and 34 years old, at 75%, versus 28.6% of individuals aged 45–55 years. This difference demonstrated statistical significance (P =.048). Additionally, 70.7% of students reported procrastination, compared to only 40% of retired participants (P =.044).

Table 4 Factors associated with the frequency of procrastination among study participants

Discussion

The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of chronic procrastination among adults, including its associated factors and its impact on daily academic and personal life. Procrastination, defined as the act of delaying intended actions, is a behavior that can be driven by a variety of factors, such as the avoidance of stress [9, 10]. Procrastinating behavior has been observed in students, children, and adults of all ages [11]. Experiencing procrastination in an academic environment leads to negative outcomes, such as stress, guilt, poor academic performance, and low self-esteem. Consequently, it is vital to identify and address this behavior early to safeguard future career prospects [12, 13].

The current study indicated that the majority of participants were young females (students) with high educational levels. In terms of procrastination, it was done frequently (often/always) by most participants, while few stated that they rarely or never procrastinated. The vast majority confessed to waiting until the last minute to complete tasks and often found themselves performing tasks that should have been completed days earlier. Since most participants were students, procrastination mainly involved academic tasks. Additionally, other tasks such as household chores, health-related activities, and personal obligations were delayed, though at significantly lower rates. Surprisingly, over half of the participants spent excessive time (over 4 h daily) on procrastinating activities such as using social media and watching TV. Consequently, most felt guilty or remorseful about their procrastination. Abbasi IS and Alghamdi NG [14] reported a lower rate, finding that roughly 20–25% of adult men and women indulge in chronic procrastination. Other studies demonstrated that students almost always procrastinated on tasks like studying and completing assignments, but the degree of procrastination declined when it came to administrative tasks [15,16,17]. In Saudi Arabia, Harriott J et al. [18] found that 20% of the adult community population admitted to being chronic procrastinators, a much lower rate than that found in the current study. Akbari M et al. [19] found a 15.4% prevalence rate of procrastination in the Iranian community. Another study in Iran indicated that 29.25% of students frequently experienced academic procrastination. Furthermore, 47.9% stated that moderate academic procrastination had caused them significant problems [20]. Rates of 30% and 30.1% were reported in studies by Ozer et al. [21] and Solomon and Rothblum [22], respectively.

The most common reasons for procrastination reported were poor time management, boredom, distractions, lack of motivation, and an overwhelming amount of tasks. Similar reasons, including fear of failure, self-regulatory failures, and low self-efficacy, were also reported by Thakkar N [23]. An excess of academic tasks was also reported in numerous other studies involving undergraduate university students [24,25,26].

Regarding the effects of procrastination, the present study showed significant impacts on personal life, work, and education, with over two-thirds of participants experiencing health issues such as sleep problems and stress. Similarly, Milgram N [27] concluded in his study that effective planning and task scheduling – including routine, discretionary, and stressful events – are closely linked with life satisfaction and emotional well-being. Furthermore, Vajpayee A [28] found that excessive Internet of Things usage negatively affects subjective well-being, contributing to higher procrastination levels and reduced life satisfaction, particularly among adults. Another study by Prem R et al. [29] evaluated the detrimental effects of procrastination on work life and necessary tasks. Additionally, Nicholson L et al. [30] reported on the emotional fallout of procrastination, where habitual procrastinators in the high self-awareness condition experienced more negative emotions, while less chronic procrastinators in the same condition reported the least amount of negative emotions.

Study limitations

This study has several limitations. Firstly, as a cross-sectional study, it provides an overview of procrastination behaviors at a single point in time, limiting the ability to infer causality or examine changes over time. Secondly, the reliance on self-reported data through an online survey introduces the potential for response bias, as participants may underreport or exaggerate their procrastination behaviors and coping strategies. In addition, the online nature of the survey may have excluded individuals with limited internet access, further affecting the representativeness of the sample. Lastly, the study did not incorporate validated psychological tools to assess the severity of procrastination or its direct psychological impact, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. Future studies should address these limitations by employing longitudinal designs, diverse sampling strategies, and validated instruments to enhance the accuracy of the findings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the current study revealed a high rate of procrastination among study participants. This was related to demographic factors, such as young age, the numerous daily tasks they must deal with, and high engagement with everyday technologies. Poor time management, coupled with psychological predictors, such as feelings of boredom and distraction from multiple tasks, were the main causes of procrastination. Academic and study tasks were largely affected by procrastination, with significant impacts reported on both study and daily life activities. Frequent training and educational programs, especially for students, are essential to improve time management and prioritization. Additionally, further research could help identify effective coping strategies to reduce procrastination.