ACADEMIC PROCRASTINATION IN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS

Abstract

Academic procrastination is common phenomenon among students in higher education. Research indicates that a large number of higher education students procrastinate. Procrastination causes many problems in students like low grades, anxiety, stress, guilt, pressures, mental health issues etc. Most of the studies have explored psychological, behavioural, or personality factors that cause procrastination in students. Very lesser studies have been done on social, cultural, and contextual factors that cause procrastination in students. The aim of present study was to investigate the socio-cultural factors that cause procrastination in higher education students during their academic tasks and activities. To answer the research questions this study applied a qualitative phenomenological design. Through a purposive sampling and semi-structure interviews more insightful data was collected. Participants of the study were enrolled in an undergraduate program of a public sector university. Initially eight participants were selected to participate in the study. However, after six interviews (three male and three female) researchers felt that data was saturated and stopped the process. Data was analysed thematically. The findings of the study show that company matters a lot and friends had a significant impact on putting off academic work. Family involvement in household chores also impacted academic procrastination. Nature of teacher, like lenient teacher behaviour, is another important factor which causes procrastination in students. Other social factors found by this research include group projects, institutional culture and extracurricular activities, all of which play a role in delaying key academic work. Study implies that socio-cultural factors can promote or discourage procrastination habits more than the psychological factors.