State Boredom and Procrastination in Gen Z: The Mediating Role of Social Media Addiction

Abstract

The pervasive integration of social media into daily life has raised growing

concerns about its impact on the behavioral functioning of Generation Z, particularly in relation

to procrastination. State boredom, a transient state characterized by a lack of stimulation and

disengagement, has emerged as a key emotional trigger that drives individuals toward

excessive digital engagement. Despite independent evidence linking boredom, social media

addiction, and procrastination, the mechanism underlying this relationship remains

underexplored among Generation Z. The present study examined the mediating role of social

media addiction in the relationship between state boredom and procrastination. A correlational

design was employed, with 119 Generation Z participants aged 14-29 years participating in the

study. The Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS), Bergen Social Media Addiction

Scale (BSMAS), and Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS) were used as the measures of the study.

Pearson correlation and bootstrapped mediation analysis revealed significant positive

associations between all three variables (r = .515-.702, p < .01). The findings further indicated

that social media addiction partially mediated the relationship between state boredom and

procrastination, with a significant indirect effect (B = 3.53, p < .001), accounting for 56.2% of

the total effect, while the direct effect of state boredom on procrastination also remained

significant (B = 2.75, p = .017). These results underscore the need for targeted interventions

addressing boredom regulation and problematic social media use among Generation Z.