Combating Bedtime Procrastination Globally: A Pretest-Posttest Study on the Effectiveness of an Implementation Intentions Intervention on Bedtime Procrastination and Life Satisfaction and a Cross-Cultural Exploration

Abstract

Abstract Background. This study investigates bedtime procrastination, defined as delaying sleep without a legitimate reason, and its impact on sleep quality and overall well-being. Despite its significant health effects, bedtime procrastination remains understudied, particularly regarding cultural influences and effective interventions. Objectives. This study examines the effectiveness of an implementation intentions intervention on reducing bedtime procrastination and increasing life satisfaction. It also explores the relationship between bedtime procrastination and cultural tendencies. It is hypothesized that the intervention will decrease bedtime procrastination and increase life satisfaction, and that there will be a correlation between bedtime procrastination and cultural tendencies. Methods. In the main study (N=75), a pre-test/post-test design was used to measure the effectiveness of an implementation intention intervention on bedtime procrastination and life satisfaction over three weeks. An exploratory study (N=90) conducted a correlation analysis to study the relationship between bedtime procrastination and cultural tendencies (towards collectivism). Results. The implementation intentions intervention significantly reduced bedtime procrastination scores. However, there were no significant changes in life satisfaction scores, nor was there a significant correlation between bedtime procrastination and cultural tendencies. Conclusions. This study is the first to test implementation intentions on bedtime procrastination independently and to investigate the influence of cultural tendencies on bedtime procrastination. These findings underscore the potential of implementation intentions as a strategy to reduce bedtime procrastination and their applicability across cultures.