Exploring the Interplay between Academic Procrastination and Self-Generated Stress among Medical Students. A Multi-Institutional Cross-Sectional Study from KPK, Pakistan

Academic procrastination is the deliberate postponement of assignments even when one is aware of the possible drawbacks. It is a common problem among students, especially in demanding professions like medicine, where procrastination is exacerbated by stress and a heavy workload. Objective: To investigate the connection between medical students' self-generated stress and academic procrastination. Methods: In KPK, Pakistan, 382 undergraduate medical students participated in a cross-sectional study. The Self-Generated Stress Scale, the Academic Procrastination Scale-Short Form, and a sociodemographic part were all included in the questionnaire. Using SPSS (version 27.0), descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, such as regression and correlation analyses, were carried out. P-values less than 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Results: Procrastination and stress exhibited a weak but significant positive correlation. A bidirectional relationship was observed, where procrastination predicted stress and vice versa, each explaining 3.4% of the variance. No significant differences in procrastination and stress were found across gender or academic years. Conclusions: Stress and procrastination among MBBS students in KPK were shown to be weakly but significantly correlated in this study, indicating that they have an impact on one another. The results highlight the necessity of techniques like time management training and cognitive-behavioral treatments to lessen stress from procrastination, notwithstanding the tiny effect size. Longitudinal studies should be used in future study to gain a deeper understanding of causality and other affecting factors.