Self-Handicapping Among University Students: The Role of Procrastination, Test Anxiety, Self-Esteem, and Self-Compassion

Psychol Rep. 2020 Jun;123(3):825-843. doi: 10.1177/0033294118825099. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the predictor role of procrastination, test anxiety, self-esteem, and self-compassion for the variation in university students' self-handicapping. The sample of the study consisted of 801 undergraduate students (404 females and 397 males). In order to collect data, Self-Handicapping Scale, Tuckman Procrastination Scale, Anxiety Subscale of Academic Emotions Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Self-Compassion Scale were used. Stepwise regression analysis was conducted, and results showed that all of the predictor variables significantly contributed in explaining self-handicapping. The model explained the 59% of the variance in self-handicapping, whereas semi-partial variance of procrastination, test anxiety, self-esteem, and self-compassion were 17%, 4%, 2%, and 2%, respectively.

Keywords: Self-handicapping; procrastination; self-compassion; self-esteem; test anxiety.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Empathy* / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Procrastination* / physiology
  • Self Concept*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Test Anxiety / psychology*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult