Understanding the Link Between Ostracism and Procrastination: Mediating Role of Self-Esteem

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between workplace ostracism and procrastination in the lives of young adults, and the potential of self-esteem to act as a mediating variable. Workplace ostracism is the experience of being ignored or excluded in a social or organizational setting and has been associated with a variety of negative psychological and behavioral effects. A total of 300 participants (160 male, 140 female; ages 17–31 years) completed self-report measures of ostracism (Workplace Ostracism Scale; WOS), procrastination (Procrastination Scale; PS), and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; RSES). Descriptive, Pearson’s correlations, regression modeling, and mediation tests were conducted to determine the proposed relationships. Results indicated that workplace ostracism was positively associated with procrastination and, negatively associated with self-esteem. There was a negative relationship between self-esteem and procrastination; thus, when self-esteem is lower, there will be more avoidance behavior. The mediation analyses revealed that self-esteem accounted for some of the relationship between ostracism and procrastination, and acts as a psychological mechanism explaining the relationship between social exclusion and maladaptive behavioral outcomes. The present findings are consistent with previous work emphasizing the changes to self-concept and task-approach behaviors associated with social exclusion.