Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for procrastination : A randomized controlled trial

• Introduction: Procrastination is a pervasive behavior pattern associated with psychological distress and decreased well-being. Approximately one-fifth of the adult population and half of the student population consider themselves having recurrent difficulties because of delaying their everyday tasks and commitments. Cognitive behavior therapy is regarded treatment of choice, and treatment interventions consisting of behavioral activation and exposure to discomfort are presumed suitable for managing procrastination. However, no randomized controlled trial has previously been performed, warranting further research on the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy. Meanwhile, clinical trials of Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy has generated promising results in relation to a number of psychiatric conditions, but whether it may be used to alleviate problems of procrastination is still unclear.Method: Participants were recruited from advertisements in the media and on the Internet. One hundred and fifty participants with self-reported difficulties of procrastination were randomized into three conditions; guided self-help, self-help, or wait-lost control. The treatment consisted of ten modules delivered weekly during a ten week treatment period, involving psychoeducation and assignments specifically designed to target procrastination. Outcome measures concerning procrastination, depression, anxiety, and quality of life were distributed pre and post treatment.Results: Moderate to large effect sizes were found for both treatment conditions in terms of outcome measures on procrastination compared to wait-list control. No statistically significant difference were observed between the two treatment conditions, or any of the outcome measures of depression, anxiety, or quality of life. Results from follow-up will be available at the time of the conference.Conclusion: Participants receiving guided or unguided self-help improved on self-reported difficulties of procrastination, indicating that Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy may be beneficial for individuals suffering from procrastination. More research is however needed in order to determine its efficacy.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

trial

internet-based

CBT

procrastination

Psychology

psykologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)