BELIEF IN GOOD LUCK PREDICTS PROCRASTINATION THROUGH PERSONALITY TRAITS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between belief in good luck and procrastination among university students, with a particular focus on the mediating role of personality traits. Method: A cross-sectional research design was employed. The sample consisted of 200 university students (100 males and 100 females) from universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Data were collected using standardized self-report measures, including the Belief in Good Luck Scale, the General Procrastination Scale, and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI). Correlation and mediation analyses were conducted to assess both direct and indirect relationships among belief in luck, personality traits, and procrastination. Findings: The results indicated that both rejection of luck and general belief in luck were indirectly associated with procrastination through several personality traits, including extraversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, and emotional stability. However, conscientiousness did not emerge as a significant mediator in the relationship between belief in luck and procrastination. These findings suggest that personality traits play a crucial role in explaining how belief systems influence procrastination behavior. Conclusion: The study highlights the complex interplay between belief in luck, personality traits, and behavioral regulation among university students. The findings suggest that educational interventions aimed at promoting adaptive personality characteristics and enhancing self-regulatory skills may help reduce procrastination tendencies associated with irrational beliefs in luck.