Causes and consequences of perfectionism and procrastination: a structural equation model

Abstract

This thesis is an investigation of the relationship between self-oriented perfectionism and academic procrastination in an academic environment, considering antecedent influences on each of these variables, and the effects of perfectionism and procrastination, in turn, on academic accomplishments. A sample of 112 students (33 men, 79 women) completed measures of perfectionism, procrastination, parental authority, and self-efficacy. LISREL analysis revealed that self-oriented perfectionism has a negative influence on academic procrastination, while the reciprocal effect of academic procrastination on self-oriented perfectionism proved negligible. The behavioural outcome results (effects on academic accomplishment) suggest that the behaviour of individuals who are self-oriented perfectionists would result in increased academic accomplishment, while the behaviour of those who are academic procrastinators would result in decreased academic accomplishment.