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Procrastination, Distress and Life Satisfaction across the Age Range – A German Representative Community Study

Author

Listed:
  • Manfred E Beutel
  • Eva M Klein
  • Stefan Aufenanger
  • Elmar Brähler
  • Michael Dreier
  • Kai W Müller
  • Oliver Quiring
  • Leonard Reinecke
  • Gabriele Schmutzer
  • Birgit Stark
  • Klaus Wölfling

Abstract

Addressing the lack of population-based data the purpose of this representative study was to assess procrastination and its associations with distress and life satisfaction across the life span. A representative German community sample (1,350 women; 1,177 men) between the ages of 14 and 95 years was examined by the short form of the General Procrastination Scale (GPS-K; 1) and standardized scales of perceived stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue and life satisfaction. As hypothesized, procrastination was highest in the youngest cohort (14–29 years). Only in the youngest and most procrastinating cohort (aged 14 to 29 years), men procrastinated more than women. As we had further hypothesized, procrastination was consistently associated with higher stress, more depression, anxiety, fatigue and reduced satisfaction across life domains, especially regarding work and income. Associations were also found with lack of a partnership and unemployment. Findings are discussed with regard to potential developmental and cohort effects. While procrastination appears to be a pervasive indicator for maladjustment, longitudinal analyses in high-risk samples (e.g. late adolescence, unemployment) are needed to identify means and mechanisms of procrastinating.

Suggested Citation

  • Manfred E Beutel & Eva M Klein & Stefan Aufenanger & Elmar Brähler & Michael Dreier & Kai W Müller & Oliver Quiring & Leonard Reinecke & Gabriele Schmutzer & Birgit Stark & Klaus Wölfling, 2016. "Procrastination, Distress and Life Satisfaction across the Age Range – A German Representative Community Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0148054
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148054
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hazel Rose Markus & Barry Schwartz, 2010. "Does Choice Mean Freedom and Well-Being?," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 37(2), pages 344-355, August.
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    1. Jansen, Anika & Pfeifer, Harald & Raecke, Julia, 2017. "Only the brave? Risk and time preferences of decision makers and firms' investment in worker training," ROA Research Memorandum 002, Maastricht University, Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA).
    2. Kai Ren & Xiaolu Liu & Yujuan Feng & Changqing Li & Dingding Sun & Ke Qiu, 2021. "The Relationship between Physical Activity and Academic Procrastination in Chinese College Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    3. Paula Magalhães & Vânia Cruz & Sara Teixeira & Sónia Fuentes & Pedro Rosário, 2020. "An Exploratory Study on Sleep Procrastination: Bedtime vs. While-in-Bed Procrastination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-14, August.
    4. Antinyan, Armenak & Bellio, Stefania & Bertoni, Marco & Corazzini, Luca & Narne, Elena, 2021. "Digital Access to Healthcare Services and Healthcare Utilization: A Quasi-Experiment," IZA Discussion Papers 14916, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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