The Relations of Anxiety, Self-Efficacy and Perfectionism to Dissertation Procrastination

the purpose of this study was to examine the role of anxiety, self-efficacy and perfectionism in predicting dissertation procrastination. One hundreds and ninety eight graduate student were selected by availability sampling. All participants were asked to complete the Revised Procrastination Inventory (Muszynski & Akamatsu, 1991), the Dissertation Appraisal Inventory (Varney, 2003), the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Hewitt & Flett, 1991), and Self- Reported Form of Dissertation‎ Anxiety‎ (Grifin,‎ 2002).‎ The‎ data‎ were‎ analyzed‎ using‎ Pearson’s‎ correlation‎ coefficient‎ and‎ stepwise‎ multiple regression. The results indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between dissertation anxiety and socially prescribed perfectionism, and dissertation procrastination. Also, there was a significant negative relationship between dissertation self-efficacy and self-oriented perfectionism, and dissertation procrastination. Multiple regressions analysis indicated that anxiety, self-efficacy and socially prescribed perfectionism contributed mostly in predicting dissertation procrastination. Based on the findings that anxiety of dissertation, self-efficacy and socially prescribed perfectionism have significant roles in dissertation procrastination, it is argued that universities should pay more attentions to the factors which may play significant roles in decreasing dissertation anxiety and decreasing socially prescribed perfectionism in order to promote dissertation self-efficacy. This is more likely to reduce dissertation procrastination amongst graduate students.