Monthly delays? How menstrual pain relates to procrastination at work.

Abstract

Menstruating individuals face unique challenges in the workplace as menstruation is widely stigmatized and its accompanying symptoms (e.g., menstrual pain) often downplayed. Thus, based on the strength model of self-control and the conservation of resources theory, the study examines self-control as an explaining mechanism through which menstrual pain affects procrastination at work. Additionally, it investigates whether mindfulness can buffer against these effects. For this, participants (N = 116/129/172) responded to an online survey. Results of the hierarchical regression analyses revealed that menstrual pain is related to self-control and self-control is associated with procrastination. Moreover, mediation analyses revealed significant results while moderation analyses remained insignificant. Hence, the findings allow for theoretical implications on the menstrual pain–procrastination link as well as for practical suggestions on the topic of menstrual pain at work.