Nawaz H, Shah Sia, Mumtaz A, Chughtai AS.
Alarming Trend of Procrastination and Narcissism among Medical Undergraduates.
Biomedica Jan ;33(4):320-5.

Background: Despite the rigorous demands of medical studies, procrastination is a common problem afflicting medical students. Medical professionals also exhibit narcissistic personality traits which may potentially aggravate procrastination. Objectives: The present study looked to determine association between procrastination and narcissism among medical students and investigate differences between the two based on gender and previous educational background. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, medical students (n=157) were administered two validated psychological instruments; narcissistic personality inventory (NPI-40) and irrational procrastination scale (IPS). Standard scores were used to group students into narcissists/non-narcissists and procrastinators/non-procrastinators. Comparative and correlational analyses were carried out. Subscales of NPI-40 were individually correlated with IPS.NPI-40 and IPS scores were also compared with gender and educational background. Results: High frequencies of narcissism (45.22%) and procrastination (66.24%) were observed. No correlation was found between the two parameters (Pearson?s R = -0.095, p = 0.237). Education-based analysis revealed a higher procrastination score for students with an O-level/A-level background compared to those with Matric/F.Sc. background (mean procrastination score; O/A-level 30.33 vs. Matric/F.Sc 25.94, p = 0.010). Students with a Matric/F.Sc. background had a higher narcissism score compared to the O/A-level group (mean narcissism score; Matric/F.Sc. 15.72 vs. O/A-level 10.78, p = 0.11). Gender based analysis did not show any difference in procrastination (mean score; males 26.36 vs. females 26.05, p = 0.717) and narcissism (mean score; males 14.38 vs. females 16.03, p = 0.081). Conclusion: Students exhibiting narcissistic traits and procrastination dominate medical student population. Psycho-social measures should be adopted to help students overcome such deficits.

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