Effects of the Big Five Personality Traits on the Prediction of Procrastination among Students of Colleges of Education in Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the Big Five personality traits as predictors of procrastination among
students of Colleges of Education in Gombe State, Nigeria. It explored the effects of the Big
Five personality traits to the prediction of students’ procrastination among the students. One
corresponding hypothesis was tested in the study. The study used correlational design. From
a population of 17166 (n=7389 female, n=9777 male), the study used a sample of 349
Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) students (n=163 female, n=186 male) through multi-
stage sampling techniques. Data were collected by using the Personal Information
Questionnaire (PIQ), the Tuckman Procrastination Scale (TPS) and the Ten-Item Personality
Inventory (TIPI). The results found that personality traits (β = .2.908; t = 5.826; p = .000)
have no effects to the prediction of procrastination among the students. The study concludes
that there seem to be other reasons for procrastination that are outside the focus of the study.
The study recommended that students should be encouraged to build self-confidence,
commence in earnest every academic task given during their studies. Personality assessment
services should be strengthened and supported to guide students on how to adapt to certain
personality traits.