Table_1_Trajectories and influencing factors in adolescent procrastination behavior throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: a four-wave prospective longitudinal study.DOCX

BackgroundDespite the growing attention given to adolescent behavior problems, little is known about the trajectories and factors that have influenced adolescent procrastination during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study monitors changes in procrastination behavior among Chinese adolescents during the pandemic and identifies vulnerable groups.MethodsA four-wave study using a representative sample of 11-to 18-year-olds in China was conducted, with baseline data collected in June 2020 (n = 4,156; 49% girls) and follow-ups in December 2020 (n = 3,392; 50% girls), August 2021 (n = 2,380; 48% girls), and October 2021 (n = 1,485; 49% girls). Procrastination behavior was assessed using the General Procrastination Scale. Latent growth curve models, latent growth mixture modes, and multivariate logistic regression models were used to describe the trajectory of procrastination and identify predictors of deterioration.ResultsThe proportion and overall trends of adolescent procrastination increased with the pandemic. Higher parental over-protection was a contributing factor to the higher baseline levels leading to the faster growth of adolescent procrastination. The model identified three distinct trajectories of low-increasing [including 2,057 participants (49.5%)], moderate-stable [including 1,879 participants (45.2%)], and high-decreasing procrastination [including 220 participants (5.3%)]. More daily leisure screen-time, lower frequency of exercise weekly, and dissatisfaction with distance learning were the top three risk factors for moderate-stable and high-decreasing procrastination compared to low-increasing procrastination. Adolescents with mothers with a higher level of education were more liable to be high-decreasing procrastination than moderate-stable procrastination.ConclusionThe proportion and overall trends of adolescent procrastination increased with the pandemic. The categories of procrastination among adolescents during that time period were probed. Also, the study further clarified the risk factors for severe and moderate procrastination relative to no procrastination. Thus, effective procrastination prevention and intervention strategies need to be implemented to support adolescents, particularly those at risk.

尽管青少年行为问题日益受到关注，但对于疫情期间青少年拖延行为的轨迹及影响因素，仍所知甚少。本研究通过追踪监测疫情期间中国青少年拖延行为的变化，并识别出易感群体。研究方法：本研究采用四波研究设计，对11至18岁的中国青少年进行了代表性样本调查，基线数据于2020年6月收集（n=4,156，其中49%为女性），随后分别在2020年12月（n=3,392，其中50%为女性）、2021年8月（n=2,380，其中48%为女性）和2021年10月（n=1,485，其中49%为女性）进行了后续调查。拖延行为评估采用通用拖延量表。通过潜在增长曲线模型、潜在增长混合模型和多元逻辑回归模型，描述了拖延行为的轨迹，并确定了导致恶化的预测因素。研究结果：随着疫情的蔓延，青少年拖延行为的比例和整体趋势均有所上升。较高的父母过度保护是导致基线水平升高并加速青少年拖延行为增长的重要因素。模型识别出三种不同的拖延行为轨迹：低增长[包括2,057名参与者（49.5%）]、中度稳定[包括1,879名参与者（45.2%）]和高度减少拖延[包括220名参与者（5.3%）]。相较于低增长拖延，中度稳定和高度减少拖延的主要风险因素为每日休闲屏幕时间更长、每周锻炼频率更低以及对远程学习的满意度较低。拥有较高教育水平的母亲的孩子更容易表现出高度减少拖延，而非中度稳定拖延。结论：随着疫情的蔓延，青少年拖延行为的比例和整体趋势均有所上升。本研究对疫情期间青少年拖延行为的类别进行了探究，并进一步明确了相对于无拖延行为的严重和中度拖延的风险因素。因此，需要实施有效的拖延预防与干预策略，以支持青少年，尤其是那些处于风险中的青少年。