ObjectiveTo explore the internal mechanism of the effects of time management tendency on academic procrastination of medical students, and provide theoretical basis for the intervention program of academic procrastination in the future.

MethodsFrom March to June 2019, 499 medical students from a university were selected by stratified random sampling method, and investigated using the self-compiled general information questionnaire, time management tendency scale, self-compassion scale and Aitken procrastination scale.

ResultsThe academic procrastination score of medical students was (46.19±8.74)points, and which was in the middle level.The differences of the academic procrastination scores among only child, different grades and achievements after entering university were statistically significant(P < 0.01).The time management tendency was negatively correlated with academic procrastination(r=-0.522, P < 0.01), and positively correlated with self-compassion(r=0.334, P < 0.01).There was a significant negative correlation between self-compassion and academic procrastination(r=-0.317, P < 0.01).The relationship between time management tendency, self-compassion and academic procrastination showed that the time management tendency could directly influence the academic procrastination of medical students, and it could also influence academic procrastination of medical students through the partial mediating role of self-compassion(the effect value was 10.46%).

ConclusionsTo improve the academic procrastination of medical students can start from improving their time management ability and self-compassion.