Procrastination and multidimensional perfectionism: A meta-analysis of main, mediating, and moderating effects

As results of researchers’ examination of the relationship between perfectionism and procrastination have often been inconsistent, we conducted a meta-analysis of the relationship between procrastination and multidimensional perfectionism. Results indicated that perfectionistic strivings were negatively linked to procrastination, whereas perfectionistic concerns were positively linked to procrastination. Gender, and the measures of perfectionism and procrastination were found to moderate the relationship between procrastination and multidimensional perfectionism. We found that self-efficacy played a mediating role in the relationship between self-oriented perfectionism and procrastination. Our findings fill a gap in the literature and provide confirmatory evidence that the temporal motivational theory can be applied to gain further understanding of the perfectionism–procrastination relationship.