Reading Habits Reduce Academic Procrastination in Nursing Students

Abstract

Introduction: Academic procrastination is the negative behavior of putting off various tasks without reason. It has been related to different variables; however, it is unknown whether reading habits influence its reduction.

Objective: To determine the influence of reading habits on academic procrastination in nursing students.

Methods: Descriptive study, causal correlation, with a sample of 271 nursing students from first to fifth year of training at the National University of San Agustín de Arequipa, Peru. Two instruments were used: Muñoz Reading Habits Inventory and Busko Procrastination Scale. Pearson's r test and linear regression analysis were applied.

Results: The nursing students had ages that fluctuate between 16 and 25 years, with a predominance of females. Reading habits were medium level in 66.79% and high in 30.99% of the cases. Certain level of procrastination was identified in 97.05% of students, 2.58% of them registered a high level. There is significant association between reading habits and age, as well as between procrastination and year of studies.

Conclusion: Reading habits are inversely related to academic procrastination and predict its decline.