Academic procrastination, perfectionism, and control: Associations with vigilant and avoidant coping.

Abstract

This study examined individual differences associated with measures of academic procrastination, perfectionism, control, and vigilant and avoidant coping using a sample of 157 undergraduates. Results indicated that a positive relationship exists between perfectionism and vigilant coping, and that procrastinators do not tend to exhibit avoidant coping. Interestingly, issues of control were positively associated with avoidant coping. Overall, the findings suggest that procrastination, perfectionism, and control play a significant role in the employment of these coping styles. The purpose of this study was to provide a better understanding of procrastination, perfectionism, and control—behaviors and coping styles that appear to be functionally related to vigilant and avoidant coping styles. Procrastination, perfectionism, and control have recently been the focus of extensive research (Ferrari & Mautz, 1997; Paulhus & Van Selst, 1990; Terry-Short, Owens, Slade & Dewey, 1995; Tice & Baumeister, 1997). Krohne (1989, 1993) has proposed a comprehensive model of coping styles, identifying behaviors that appear to share common characteristics with the traits of procrastination, perfectionism, and control. While relationships have been identified between procrastination and perfectionism (Ferrari, 1992; Flett, Hewitt, & Martin, 1995), many individual differences associated with procrastination, perfectionism, control, and possible links with coping styles remain to be studied. Vigilant coping is prompted by situations possessing a high degree of uncertainty, stress, and anxiety (Krohne, 1993; Miller, 1996). In such