Procrastination and Health in Nurses: Investigating the Roles of Stress, Health Behaviours and Social Support

Sirois, Fuschia M.; Biskas, Marios

Abstract

Objectives: Evidence linking chronic procrastination to a range of poor health outcomes and trajectories continues to build. Yet, much of this research has been conducted in academic contexts or in non-student samples. Despite theory indicating that high-stress contexts increase vulnerability for procrastination, the pathways linking chronic procrastination to health outcomes proposed by the procrastination–health model have not been examined in a high stress environment. Accordingly, we tested the contribution of procrastination to health in nurses and whether social support was a protective factor. Design: Pre-registered cross-sectional study using a random sample of nurses recruited from the membership of a regional nursing association, supplemented by nurses and nurse trainees recruited from online nursing associations, conferences and forums. Methods: Nurses and nurse trainees (N = 597) completed measures of chronic procrastination, stress, health behaviours, social support and self-rated health. Results: Chronic procrastination was associated with perceived stress, health behaviours, self-rated health and social support in the expected directions. Consistent with the procrastination–health model, structural equation modelling revealed significant indirect effects linking chronic procrastination to poor self-rated health through higher stress and fewer health behaviours. Contrary to our hypotheses, social support did not moderate these pathways. Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate the relevance of procrastination for health in high-stress, non-academic contexts and to find support for both the stress and behavioural pathways linking procrastination to poor health outcomes. Findings further highlight the importance of addressing chronic procrastination as a vulnerability factor for poor health in nurses.

Citation

Sirois, F. M., & Biskas, M. (2024). Procrastination and Health in Nurses: Investigating the Roles of Stress, Health Behaviours and Social Support. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(7), Article 898. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070898

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 5, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 10, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Aug 16, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 16, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1661-7827
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 7
• Article Number: 898
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070898
• Keywords: health behaviours, health, nurses, social support, procrastination, stress
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2745835