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Boredom Proneness and Self-Control as Unique Risk Factors in Achievement Settings

Author

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  • Jhotisha Mugon

    (Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • James Boylan

    (Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • James Danckert

    (Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

Abstract

The state of boredom arises when we have the desire to be engaged in goal pursuit, but for whatever reason we cannot fulfil that desire. Boredom proneness is characterized by both frequent and intense feelings of boredom and is an enduring individual difference trait associated with a raft of negative outcomes. There has been some work in educational settings, but relatively little is known about the consequences of boredom proneness for learning. Here we explored the unique contributions of boredom proneness, self-control and self-esteem to undergraduate self-reported higher grade point average (GPA). Within educational settings, prior research has shown self-control and self-esteem to be associated with better academic performance. In contrast, boredom proneness is associated with lower levels of self-control and self-esteem. Our analyses replicate those previous findings showing that self-control acts as a positive predictor of GPA. Importantly, we further demonstrated, for the first time, that boredom proneness has a unique contribution to GPA over and above the contribution of self-control, such that as boredom proneness increases, GPA decreases. We discuss potential mechanisms through which boredom proneness may influence academic performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Jhotisha Mugon & James Boylan & James Danckert, 2020. "Boredom Proneness and Self-Control as Unique Risk Factors in Achievement Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:9116-:d:457700
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kimberley B. Mercer & John D. Eastwood, 2010. "Is boredom associated with problem gambling behaviour? It depends on what you mean by 'boredom'," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(1), pages 91-104, April.
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