The Mediating Role of Fear of Failure, Self-Compassion and Intolerance of Uncertainty in the Relationship Between Academic Procrastination and Perfectionism

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of fear of failure, self-compassion, and intolerance of uncertainty in the relationship between academic procrastination and perfectionism.

 This study used structural equation modeling. The statistical population was students studying for a master’s degree in Tehran in 2020-2021. Using the available sampling method, 440 students were selected as the sample. To analyze data, the correlation matrix in SPSS v. 24 software and structural equation modeling in Lisrel 8.80 software were used.

 The results showed that the direct effect of perfectionism on fear of failure, intolerance of uncertainty, and academic procrastination (P≥0.001) was positive and significant and the direct effect of perfectionism on self-compassion (P≥0.001) was negative and significant. Also, the direct effect of fear of failure on academic procrastination was positive and significant (P≥0.001) and the direct effect of self-compassion on academic procrastination was negative and significant (P≥0.001). Also, the results of data analysis showed that fear of failure, intolerance of uncertainty, and self-compassion had a significant role (P≥0.001) in the relationship between academic procrastination and perfectionism. 

 Therefore, based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the relationship between academic procrastination and perfectionism is not a linear and simple relationship and fear of failure, self-compassion, and intolerance of uncertainty has a mediating role in this relationship.