Abstract

Precrastination, the tendency to complete tasks immediately even at the expense of efficiency, remains relatively unexplored. This study investigated the influence of the Big Five personality traits and fluid intelligence on the precrastination behavior of university students. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, N = 95 German students (M = 23.03 years, 45% female, 61% enrolled in full-time studies) completed self-report measures via an online questionnaire. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that both conscientiousness (b = 1.16, SE = .16, t(88) = 7.18, p < .001) and fluid intelligence (b = -0.05, SE = .02, t(88) = -2.09, p = .040) had significant effects on precrastination behavior. The overall model demonstrated a high explanatory power (R² = .53, adjusted R² = .50). Mediation analyses further showed that fluid intelligence mediated both the relationship between openness to experience and precrastination behavior (ab = -.176, 95% CI [-.362, .037]) and partially the relationship between conscientiousness and precrastination behavior (ab = .080, 95% CI [.001, .222]). The results highlight that precrastination is not solely shaped by personality traits but is also influenced by cognitive abilities such as fluid intelligence. Limitations, including the modest sample size, restrict generalizability. These findings provide insights for interventions supporting task prioritization and cognitive self-regulation in students. Future research should employ larger samples and diverse designs to clarify underlying mechanisms.

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