Rumination, Procrastination and Self-esteem among Working and Non-Working Women

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the relationship among rumination, procrastination, and self-esteem among working and non-working women. These psychological constructs are important in understanding how individuals think, behave, and evaluate themselves in everyday life. Rumination refers to repetitive thinking about negative experiences, which may increase emotional distress and interfere with problem-solving. Procrastination involves delaying tasks despite knowing the possible negative consequences and reflects difficulties in self-regulation. Self-esteem represents an individual’s evaluation of self-worth and is generally considered a protective factor; however, its role in relation to maladaptive thinking and behaviour appears to be more complex. The study was conducted on a sample of 337 adult women selected using a non-probability purposive sampling method. Participants were categorized into working and non-working groups. Data were collected through an online survey using Google Forms. Standardized tools were used, including the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS), the General Procrastination Scale (GPS), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Ethical guidelines were followed, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, normality analysis, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and independent samples t-test. The findings showed a significant positive relationship between rumination and procrastination, suggesting that individuals who engage in repetitive thinking are more likely to delay their tasks. However, self-esteem showed a positive relationship with both rumination and procrastination, which was not in line with the initial assumptions. This indicates that self-esteem may function differently depending on individual or situational factors. Further, no significant differences were found between working and non-working women in terms of rumination, procrastination, and self-esteem. This suggests that employment status alone may not have a strong influence on these psychological variables, and that other personal or environmental factors may play a role. Overall, the study highlights the connection between thinking patterns and behaviour and emphasizes the need to understand these variables together. The findings provide useful insights into psychological functioning among women and suggest the importance of addressing maladaptive thinking and behavioural tendencies. Future research can explore additional factors such as personality traits, coping strategies, and socio-cultural influences to better understand these relationships. This study also highlights the importance of understanding psychological patterns in everyday functioning, particularly among women managing different life roles. The findings suggest that both cognitive and behavioural tendencies should be addressed together while designing interventions. Such understanding can be useful for counsellors, educators, and mental health professionals in developing strategies to improve emotional well-being and productivity.