Some Scientists from Russia’s State University of Psychology and Education (MSUPE) have discovered that procrastination most often leads to personal tensions between students and teachers that mostly threaten the psychological security in institutions of higher education.
Researchers are of the view that developing programmes which increase motivation to study will help in avoiding unwanted consequences. The results from the study were published I the international peer- reviewed journal: Behavioral Sciences.
The MSUPE experts held a study using a survey conducted on university students over a period of which they considered procrastination as a reason for deterioration of the psychological safety found within the educational environment. The authors of this scientific work noted that if one constantly put things off, a feeling of inner discomfort will be experienced and also negative emotions linked with expecting unpleasant consequences.
A research using the scale of research developed by K. Ley revealed that 46.7% of students displayed a moderate level of procrastination. They occasionally postponed important tasks, but this did not reduce the quality of their performance in various activities. Higher levels of procrastination, however, are prevalent among at least 53.3% of students. They systematically fail to hit their set target of objectives or even perform their tasks poorly, which most often than not leads to negative and disastrous consequences.
Scientists have found out that students showing a high level of procrastination possess the strongest feelings of shame and duty towards themselves and other crucial people in their lives. Students who regularly put off important things can show hostile behaviors when interacting with teachers and their own classmates; this is according to authors of the study.
People should take not that students exhibiting a normal level of procrastination are usually motivated by their educational, cognitive and professional activities, which always determine their desire to acquire professional skills, knowledge and abilities in the profession they learn. This is according to an associate professor at MSUPE, Anna Litinova.
She also said that people who procrastinate moderately were more likely show acceptance and goodwill in their interpersonal relationships. This gives them the psychological safety they need in the educational environment of the university and this encourages them to go in pursuit of self- development. Meanwhile, students who exhibit high levels of procrastination are more likely to experience some challenges in their interpersonal relationships.
According to scientists at the MSUPE, it is imperative for one to develop and implement psychological aid programmes which will be aimed at reducing the level of procrastination which will allow students to halt postponing relevant things which will provide them with the needed psychological security at the university.
Experts are of the view that this would go a long way in helping them to avoid emotional discomfort.
