The Relationship between Health-Related Procrastination, Personality Type, and Quality of Life in Nurses

Introduction: Procrastination is the tendency to delay tasks despite awareness of its negative consequences. Health-related procrastination (HRP) can have serious and harmful effects on health. The relationship between procrastination in academic and daily tasks with personality type and quality of life has been established, but the association between HRP, personality type, and quality of life remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to determine the relationship between HRP, quality of life, and personality type among nurses working in hospitals affiliated with Gonabad University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 274 nurses at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, including Allameh Bahlool Gonabadi and Shahid Madani hospitals in 2024. The sample was selected through a non-probability census sampling method. Data collection was done using demographic, NEO personality, HRP, and WHOQOL quality of life questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient and linear regression with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results : Findings indicated that the nurses’ level of HRP was moderate. The average quality of life score was 80.18. Mean scores for personality type dimensions were: Neuroticism 37.44, Extroversion 34.01, Openness 34.82, Agreeableness 35.07, and Conscientiousness 37.71. A significant inverse correlation was found between HRP and nurses' quality of life (p < 0.001). Additionally, HRP had a significant inverse association with the personality dimensions of Conscientiousness (p < 0.001) and Extroversion (p = 0.007) and a significant direct association with Neuroticism (p < 0.001). There was no significant association between HRP and the dimensions of Agreeableness (p = 0.900) and Openness (p = 0.966). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that quality of life and personality dimensions, except for Agreeableness and Openness, were significantly associated with HRP among nurses. These findings contribute to our overall understanding of HRP among nurses. Health policymakers should consider the roles of personality types and quality of life in HRP among nurses.