Modified structure and psychometric properties of the hungarian version of the active-passive procrastination scale

Abstract

Background and goals: Distinguishing the classic maladaptive behavior of passive procrastination and the efficient strategy of active procrastination is an increasingly important research area. The goal of our study is to test the psychometric properties of the Hungarian version (Szabó, 2012) of the Active-Passive Procrastination Scale (Choi & Moran, 2009). Methods: We tested the structure and the reliability of the scale, and its relationship with other psychological factors on a sample of Hungarian university students (N = 843). Results: Unlike the original five-factor structure, the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported a passive and an active procrastination subscale. The reliability of these subscales proved to be good. Active procrastination is linked positively, while passive procrastination is linked negatively to self-esteem and academic self-efficacy. Passive procrastination is positively linked to negative time perspective, while it has negative relationship with future orientation. There are differences in academic achievement between the three groups created based on the cluster analysis of the procrastination results. Non-procrastinators are the most successful, followed by active- and passive procrastinators. Conclusions: The results confirmed the 8-item scale to be an appropriate measure of passive procrastination and active procrastination due to preference of time-pressure. Although it seems necessary to develop additional tools to measure the other types of active procrastination as proposed in the original model.