Objective: The present study explores the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and procrastination among college students and the mediating effect of time management disposition.
Materials and Methods: The present study surveyed 682 college students from two universities with the Children’s Psychological Maltreatment Scale, Aitken Procrastination Questionnaire, and Adolescence Time Management Disposition Scale.
Results: There are significant positive correlations between childhood psychological maltreatment and undergraduates’ procrastination (r = 0.197, p < 0.01), namely, individuals with more severe childhood psychological maltreatment are more likely to procrastinate. Time management disposition negatively correlates with childhood psychological maltreatment (r = − 0.136, p < 0.01) and procrastination (r = − 0.573, p < 0.01). The mediating roles of the time management disposition in the association between childhood psychological maltreatment and undergraduates’ procrastination are significant.
Conclusion: Time management disposition plays a mediating role in the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and college students’ procrastination behavior.
Keywords: childhood psychological maltreatment, time management, procrastination, college students, mediating role