From Avoidance to Appreciation: Body Image as a Predictor of Procrastination
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Abstract
Body Image attitudes play a critical role in shaping psychological functioning, yet their influence on academic behaviors such as procrastination among young women remains under-studied. The present study explored the predictive role of body image factors—specifically Body Appreciation as a protective variable and Body Image Avoidance as a risk variable—on Academic Procrastination in female students exposed to unique sociocultural pressures. The sample comprised 105 female participants aged 18 to 25 years (M = 20.72, SD = 1.54), who completed the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ), and the Tuckman Procrastination Scale (TPS). Data were collected through both online and offline cross-sectional surveys. Correlational analysis demonstrated significant associations, with Body Appreciation negatively related to both Procrastination (r = −.404, p < .001) and Body Image Avoidance (r = −.436, p < .001), whereas Body Image Avoidance showed a positive correlation with Procrastination (r = .322, p = .001). Regression analyses revealed that Body Appreciation was a significant predictor of reduced procrastination, explaining 16.4% of the variance (β = −.404, p < .001). Conversely, Body Image Avoidance predicted increased Procrastination, accounting for 10.4% of the variance (β = .322, p = .001). These findings highlight the dual roles of body image attitudes, identifying Body Appreciation as a protective factor enhancing self-regulation and Body Image Avoidance as a maladaptive factor contributing to procrastination. The study underscores the importance of integrating body image interventions into educational and psychological strategies aimed at reducing procrastination and promoting academic success among female students.
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References
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