The translation and validation of the procrastination and precrastination traits scale in the modern Arabic Language

TL;DR

This paper translates and validates a psychological scale for procrastination and precrastination in Arabic, showing it works well for measuring these behaviors in Arabic-speaking adults.

Contribution

The study provides a culturally adapted and validated Arabic version of the Procrastination and Precrastination Traits Scale.

Findings

The Arabic PPTS has a two-factor structure with good fit indices (CFI = 0.939, RMSEA = 0.05).

Procrastination correlates positively with the PPS and negatively with life satisfaction.

Precrastination shows opposite correlations with PPS and life satisfaction, supporting validity.

Abstract

Procrastination and precrastination are distinct self-regulatory behaviors that influence individual functioning and well-being. Despite growing interest in these constructs, culturally adapted and psychometrically validated tools in Arabic-speaking contexts remain limited. This study addresses this gap by translating, validating, and evaluating the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Procrastination and Precrastination Traits Scale (PPTS). The present study aimed to examine the factorial structure, reliability, and convergent and divergent validity of the Arabic PPTS among Arabic-speaking adults and explore its associations with life satisfaction and standardized measures of procrastination. A sample of 1,000 participants (mean age = 27.93 years, standard deviation (SD) = 5.73; age range = 18–38) completed an online survey comprising the 18-item PPTS, the 12-item Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS), and the 5-item Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Descriptive analyses, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability testing, and bivariate correlations were conducted to assess psychometric performance. CFA supported a two-factor model with good fit indices (CFI = 0.939; TLI = 0.930; RMSEA = 0.05; SRMR = 0.04). All the items loaded significantly onto their respective factors: procrastination (items 1–10) and precrastination (items 11–18). Internal consistency was good for both subscales (procrastination: α = 0.861, ω = 0.861; precrastination: α = 0.788, ω = 0.803). Procrastination was positively correlated with PPS (r = 0.781, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with SWLS (r = -0.475, p < 0.001). Conversely, precrastination was negatively associated with PPS (r = -0.405, p < 0.001) and positively associated with SWLS (r = 0.249, p < 0.001), supporting both convergent and divergent validity. The Arabic PPTS has adequate factorial validity, good reliability, and meaningful construct validity. It provides a culturally appropriate instrument for assessing behavioral tendencies of delay and hastiness, with implications for psychological assessment, educational interventions, and cross-cultural research on self-regulation and well-being.

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