Bedtime procrastination: introducing a new area of procrastination

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sleep Science
• Behavioral Health

Background:

• Procrastination is a common issue, primarily studied in academic contexts.
• This research extends the study of procrastination to health behaviors, specifically sleep.
• Bedtime procrastination, defined as intentionally delaying sleep, is introduced as a significant factor affecting sleep duration and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically validate the concept of bedtime procrastination.
• To examine the relationship between bedtime procrastination and self-regulation and general procrastination.
• To determine if bedtime procrastination predicts sleep outcomes like insufficient sleep, sleep duration, and daytime fatigue.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was conducted with a community sample of 177 participants.
• The study assessed individual differences in self-regulation and general procrastination.
• Participants' self-reported sleep outcomes were analyzed in relation to bedtime procrastination.

Main Results:

• Bedtime procrastination was negatively correlated with self-regulation; lower self-regulation was associated with higher levels of bedtime procrastination.
• Self-reported bedtime procrastination predicted insufficient sleep, independent of demographic factors and self-regulation.
• The findings highlight a link between delaying bedtime and negative sleep outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Bedtime procrastination represents a novel area where procrastination negatively impacts individuals.
• This behavior is prevalent and significantly associated with experiencing insufficient sleep.
• Addressing bedtime procrastination may be crucial for improving sleep health and overall well-being.