Chengwei Zhang1, Dexin Meng2, Liwei Zhu3,4, Xiaohan Ma3,4, Jing Guo3,4, Yiming Fu3,4, Ying Zhao3,4, Haiyan Xu5, Li Mu6,7. 1. Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China. 2. Department of Physiology, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China. 3. Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, No. 850 Huanghe Road, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116029, China. 4. Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Province, Dalian, China. 5. Department of Rehabilitation Therapeutics, School of Nursing, Jilin University, 965 Xinjiang Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China. hyxu@jlu.edu.cn. 6. Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, No. 850 Huanghe Road, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116029, China. muliLNU2017@163.com. 7. Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Province, Dalian, China. muliLNU2017@163.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bedtime procrastination (BP), a special type of health behavior procrastination, is considered to be a failure of self-control. Notably, self-control may mediate the effect of trait anxiety on general procrastination. However, there is no evidence demonstrating the role of self-control in the relationship between trait anxiety and BP. Moreover, the association between BP and trait anxiety has not yet been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the direct relationship between them as well as the mediating role of self-control in this relationship. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey included 718 college students enrolled in Chinese universities between October 2018 and January 2020. The Chinese versions of the Bedtime Procrastination Scale, the Self-Control Scale, and the Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to evaluate BP, self-control, and trait anxiety, respectively. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed trait anxiety independently predicted BP while controlling for demographic characteristics. Correlation analyses showed that BP was positively correlated with trait anxiety, but negatively related to self-control. Structural equation modeling further revealed a mediating role of self-control in the relationship between trait anxiety and BP. CONCLUSIONS: Trait anxiety is a significant independent predictor of BP and may induce BP directly or indirectly through the effect of self-control. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between trait anxiety and BP and the underlying mechanism by exploring the mediating effect of self-control. As such, trait anxiety and self-control should be included in prevention and intervention strategies to address BP behavior in college students.
BACKGROUND: Bedtime procrastination (BP), a special type of health behavior procrastination, is considered to be a failure of self-control. Notably, self-control may mediate the effect of trait anxiety on general procrastination. However, there is no evidence demonstrating the role of self-control in the relationship between trait anxiety and BP. Moreover, the association between BP and trait anxiety has not yet been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the direct relationship between them as well as the mediating role of self-control in this relationship. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey included 718 college students enrolled in Chinese universities between October 2018 and January 2020. The Chinese versions of the Bedtime Procrastination Scale, the Self-Control Scale, and the Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to evaluate BP, self-control, and trait anxiety, respectively. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed trait anxiety independently predicted BP while controlling for demographic characteristics. Correlation analyses showed that BP was positively correlated with trait anxiety, but negatively related to self-control. Structural equation modeling further revealed a mediating role of self-control in the relationship between trait anxiety and BP. CONCLUSIONS: Trait anxiety is a significant independent predictor of BP and may induce BP directly or indirectly through the effect of self-control. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between trait anxiety and BP and the underlying mechanism by exploring the mediating effect of self-control. As such, trait anxiety and self-control should be included in prevention and intervention strategies to address BP behavior in college students.