Prediction of Procrastination Considering Job Characteristics and Locus of Control in Nurses

Abstract Introduction: Procrastination is a behavioral habit, described as putting off the tasks. The behavioral habit in nursing profession because of its nature is natural and tangible. On the other hand, procrastination in nursing profession had irreversible negative results and thus doing duties without procrastination is vital. Thus, with regard to the negative results of procrastination in nursing profession, identification of related situational and individual factors is great importance. Objective: This research was carried out with the aim of prediction of procrastination using job characteristics (skill variety, task significance, task Identity, feedback and autonomy) as situational factor and locus of control (internal and external) as individual factor in nurses. Materials and Methods: This research is cross-sectional study with descriptive-correlation method. Statistical population consisted of nurses of Isfahan city in 2011 from which 193 nurses were selected by simple random sampling method. The measurements of study were standard questionnaire include general procrastination scale, job cognition questionnaire, and work locus of control scale. Data analyses were conducted based on descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson&rsquo;s correlation coefficient and simultaneous regression analysis. Results: Mean of procrastination (45.59), job characteristics (from 4.64 to 5.46) and locus of control (31.11) scores showed that nurses had medium level of procrastination, high level of job characteristics and external locus of control. Also, results of Pearson&rsquo;s correlation coefficient showed that there were significant negative relationship between procrastination and feedback as a job characteristics (p< 0.05, r= -0.15) and significant positive relationship between procrastination and external locus of control (p<0.01 r=0.24). Results of simultaneous regression analysis showed that external locus of control with Beta coefficient of 0.22 can predict procrastination (p< 0.01). Conclusion: Considering the negative results in nursing profession, medium level of procrastination and high level of job characteristics, negative relationship between procrastination and feedback, positive relationship between procrastination and external locus of control and predictive power external of locus of control in the procrastination level of nurses, it is imperative to present of feedback and establish external locus of control training courses in order to reduce nurses' procrastination.