A Study on the Effect of Rumination on the Relationship Between Shame and Procrastination among Young Adults

Abstract

Procrastination is a common problem that impairs functioning in the workplace, in the classroom, and in one's personal life. Understanding the psychological processes that shape behaviour requires investigating its relationship to self-conscious feelings like guilt and shame as well as cognitive styles like reflection and rumination. The deliberate postponement of activities in spite of expected negative consequences is known as procrastination. Guilt entails evaluating behaviour negatively and frequently spurs reparative activity. Shame is a reflection of seclusion and a poor assessment of oneself. Rumination is a repetitive, maladaptive emphasis on distress, whereas reflection refers to constructive self- examination. The aim of the current study was to study the effect of rumination on the relationship between shame and procrastination among young adults. Data were collected from 37 participants between the age of 18-25 years, using standardized self-report measures. The study employed a correlational research design with the help of standardized scales which were used to measure procrastination, shame and rumination. The findings revealed a modest relationship between guilt and shame negative self-evaluation, and a substantial correlation between guilt repair and guilt negative behaviour evaluation. The conceptual connection between rumination and reflection was highlighted by the positive correlation between the two. However, there was no significant correlation found between procrastination and reflection, rumination, guilt, or shame. These findings disprove the hypothesized impact of rumination and shame on procrastination while confirming the adaptive functioning of guilt. Longitudinal designs and larger, more varied samples should be used in future studies. In order to decrease procrastination, therapies should primarily concentrate on improving self-regulation techniques and encouraging adaptive guilt reactions.