Understanding Academic Procrastination Through Perfectionism and Basic Psychological Needs: A Motivational Trait Model

ABSTRACT Academic procrastination is a widespread problem among students and is associated with detrimental academic and psychological outcomes. While various perspectives have been employed to study the predictors of procrastination, the literature remains fragmented. This study aims to integrate the differential and motivational perspectives on academic procrastination by examining both a trait‐like predictor (multidimensional perfectionism) and a motivational predictor (basic psychological need satisfaction) of academic procrastination in an integrated model. A sample of 441 Turkish university students ( M age = 20.13, SD = 2.03 years) completed self‐report measures, and the data were analysed using structural equation modelling. The main findings showed that perfectionistic strivings positively predicted need satisfaction, whereas perfectionistic concerns negatively predicted it; in turn, need satisfaction negatively predicted academic procrastination. Furthermore, need satisfaction did not mediate the relation between multidimensional perfectionism and academic procrastination. However, supplementary analyses indicated that when examined separately, the needs for autonomy and competence mediate the relation between multidimensional perfectionism and academic procrastination. In addition to providing a more unified understanding of academic procrastination, these findings support the existence of trait‐like antecedents of need satisfaction—an often‐neglected area of research. The implications of the current findings are discussed.