This study examined the relationship between chronotype and academic procrastination among engineering students and explored gender differences in this association. The sample consisted of 230 engineering students from Mumbai aged 18 to 25 years. Standardized self-report measures were used to assess chronotype and academic procrastination. Tests of normality indicated significant deviations from normal distribution (p < .05); therefore, non-parametric analyses were employed. Spearman’s rank-order correlation revealed a strong, significant negative relationship between chronotype and academic procrastination (rₛ = –.827, p < .01), indicating that higher morningness was associated with lower procrastination, while higher eveningness was associated with greater procrastination. Gender-wise analyses showed a similar pattern for males (rₛ = –.809, p < .01) and females (rₛ = –.841, p < .01), with only minor differences in strength. The findings suggest that chronotype is an important correlate of academic procrastination, with no substantial variation across gender. These results highlight the role of circadian preferences in academic behavior.

The findings of the present study indicate that chronotype is a significant correlate of academic procrastination among engineering students. Individuals with morningness tendencies are less likely to procrastinate, whereas those with eveningness tendencies are more prone to delaying academic tasks. These findings are consistent with existing literature highlighting the role of circadian rhythms in behavioural regulation (Horne & Östberg, 1976; Steel, 2007). Although minor gender differences were observed, gender did not substantially influence the direction of the relationship. The study highlights the importance of considering individual differences in biological rhythms when addressing academic procrastination. Interventions aimed at improving time management and aligning academic demands with students’ circadian preferences may contribute to better academic outcomes.

McCloskey, J. (2011). Finally, my thesis on academic procrastination (Doctoral dissertation, Fordham University). ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Roenneberg, T., Kuehnle, T., Juda, M., Kantermann, T., Allebrandt, K., Gordijn, M., and Merrow, M. (2007). Epidemiology of the human circadian clock. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 11(6), 429 to 438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2007.07.005 Steel, P., & Klingsieck, K. B. (2016). Academic procrastination: Psychological antecedents revisited. Australian Psychologist, 51(1), 36–46. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12173 Horne, J. A., & Östberg, O. (1976). A self-assessment questionnaire to determine morningness–eveningness in human circadian rhythms. International Journal of Chronobiology, 4(2), 97–110.

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