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ORIGINAL PAPER
Procrastination, Self-Efficacy, and Life Satisfaction in Adults With and Without ADHD: A Correlational and Comparative Study
1
Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Humanitas University in Sosnowiec, Poland
2
1. Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Humanitas University in Sosnowiec, Poland
2. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
Submission date: 2025-12-05
Final revision date: 2026-03-15
Acceptance date: 2026-03-16
Publication date: 2026-04-18
Corresponding author
Tomasz Rafał Tworek
Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Humanitas University in Sosnowiec, Poland
Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Humanitas University in Sosnowiec, Poland
JoMS 2026;65(1):729-750
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to assess the significance of relationships between procrastination, generalized self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in a group of adults diagnosed with ADHD. Additionally, individuals with and without an ADHD diagnosis were compared in terms of the intensity of the measured psychological variables.
Material and methods:
The study included 228 adults: 115 with ADHD (Mage = 33.23; SD = 8.42; 76.5% women) and 113 without a diagnosis (Mage = 39.86; SD = 9.24; 74.3% women). The following psychometric tools were used: the Procrastination Scale (PPS), the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).
Results:
T-test analyses revealed significantly higher levels of procrastination (d Cohena = 2.06), and lower levels of life satisfaction (d = .53) and generalized self-efficacy (d = .41) among individuals with ADHD compared to those without a diagnosis. In the ADHD group, procrastination was negatively associated with both life satisfaction (r = –.371) and self-efficacy (r = –.296). Self-efficacy showed a positive relationship with life satisfaction (r = .468). All results were significant at p ≤ .001.
Conclusions:
The obtained results indicate significant relationships between emotional and motivational variables in individuals with ADHD, highlighting the potential health-promoting importance of strengthening self-efficacy for psychosocial functioning in this population, and higher risk of procrastination with all its negative consequences..
The aim of this study was to assess the significance of relationships between procrastination, generalized self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in a group of adults diagnosed with ADHD. Additionally, individuals with and without an ADHD diagnosis were compared in terms of the intensity of the measured psychological variables.
Material and methods:
The study included 228 adults: 115 with ADHD (Mage = 33.23; SD = 8.42; 76.5% women) and 113 without a diagnosis (Mage = 39.86; SD = 9.24; 74.3% women). The following psychometric tools were used: the Procrastination Scale (PPS), the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).
Results:
T-test analyses revealed significantly higher levels of procrastination (d Cohena = 2.06), and lower levels of life satisfaction (d = .53) and generalized self-efficacy (d = .41) among individuals with ADHD compared to those without a diagnosis. In the ADHD group, procrastination was negatively associated with both life satisfaction (r = –.371) and self-efficacy (r = –.296). Self-efficacy showed a positive relationship with life satisfaction (r = .468). All results were significant at p ≤ .001.
Conclusions:
The obtained results indicate significant relationships between emotional and motivational variables in individuals with ADHD, highlighting the potential health-promoting importance of strengthening self-efficacy for psychosocial functioning in this population, and higher risk of procrastination with all its negative consequences..
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