The impact of procrastinatination, prosocial behaviour, empathy and resilience on different addictive behaviours

Abstract

Behavioral addictions are characterized by a loss of self-control, a strong desire to engage in the behavior, and significant distress or discomfort associated with it. Although these issues are beginning to receive greater visibility, research on the topic remains limited. This study aims to examine the relationships between protective factors (empathy, prosocial behavior, and resilience) and coping styles (procrastination) in connection with a series of maladaptive behaviors, such as problematic pornography consumption and the problematic use of new technologies (Internet, social media, and instant messaging). The sample consisted of 855 participants (65.8% women) with a mean age of 24.3 years (SD= 9.03). Various scales were employed to measure the mentioned variables, and group comparisons as well as multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. The three protective factors yielded varied results, acting as predictors in certain cases depending on the group (men/women). These findings provide valuable insights that may contribute to the design and implementation of prevention and intervention programs aimed at addressing problematic engagement in specific behaviors.