Procrastination and self-efficacy: Tracing vicious and virtuous circles in self-regulated learning

In the present study, we investigated how students react to self-assessed low goal achievement in self-regulated learning. Over a university term (19 weeks), 150 university students recorded self-efficacy, procrastination and perceived goal achievement in weekly web-based self-monitoring protocols. Using multilevel analyses for growth curve models, we investigated the reciprocal amplifying between procrastination and perceived goal achievement and self-efficacy and perceived goal achievement. Results indicated a vicious circle of procrastination and a virtuous circle of self-efficacy. Students who recorded high levels of procrastination assessed their goal achievement as being low. As a consequence of low goal achievement, they reinforced procrastination. Students who recorded high levels of self-efficacy assessed their goal achievement as being high. As a consequence of high goal achievement, self-efficacy increased. Self-efficacy mediated the effect of perceived goal achievement on procrastination. Thus, students with low perceived self-efficacy are vulnerable for finding themselves in a vicious circle of procrastination.