Internet-based self-help intervention for procrastination: randomized control group trial protocol.

Cognitive behavioural therapy Control group randomized trial Internet-based intervention Procrastination Self-regulated learning theory

Journal

Trials
ISSN: 1745-6215
Titre abrégé: Trials
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101263253

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
06 Feb 2023
Historique:
received: 30 11 2022
accepted: 22 01 2023
entrez: 7 2 2023
pubmed: 8 2 2023
medline: 9 2 2023
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Procrastination or "postponing until later" is a common phenomenon defined as the intentional delay in partaking in and finishing important activities despite negative outcomes potentially outweighing the positive. Procrastination adversely affects mental health, academic performance, and career achievement. Although studies on procrastination intervention methods and effectiveness exist, utility and cost-effectiveness are limited by various factors, including practitioner availability and skills, barriers to participant participation, and the time investment required by participants. Thus, internet-based interventions could increase the availability of evidence-based treatments for adult procrastination. This study explored the efficacy of an online-based self-help intervention in the context of voluntary procrastination among undergraduate psychology students. The study design is a randomized controlled trial. Participants who self-reported procrastination-related problems and behaviours were included in the trial consisting of two groups; specifically, one group undergoing a self-directed internet-based intervention for coping with procrastination (N=160) and (2) another group with delayed access to the intervention programmes (waitlist control group; N=160). Follow-up assessments were scheduled 6 and 12 weeks after baseline, and the control group received the intervention after 12 weeks. Procrastination, measured by the Irrational Procrastination Scale and the Simple Procrastination Scale, was examined as the primary outcome. Meanwhile, secondary outcomes included susceptibility, stress, depression, anxiety, well-being, self-efficacy, time management strategies, self-control, cognition, and emotion regulation. Other measures comprised acceptability (e.g., intervention satisfaction, potential side effects, and expectations) and learning behaviour analysis to reflect adherence. This randomized controlled trial will provide data on the effectiveness of online interventions for adult procrastination. If deemed effective, this low-cost, high-coverage internet-based intervention could aid more people who seek to address their procrastination. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.  https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=171246 .

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Procrastination or "postponing until later" is a common phenomenon defined as the intentional delay in partaking in and finishing important activities despite negative outcomes potentially outweighing the positive. Procrastination adversely affects mental health, academic performance, and career achievement. Although studies on procrastination intervention methods and effectiveness exist, utility and cost-effectiveness are limited by various factors, including practitioner availability and skills, barriers to participant participation, and the time investment required by participants. Thus, internet-based interventions could increase the availability of evidence-based treatments for adult procrastination.
METHODS METHODS
This study explored the efficacy of an online-based self-help intervention in the context of voluntary procrastination among undergraduate psychology students. The study design is a randomized controlled trial. Participants who self-reported procrastination-related problems and behaviours were included in the trial consisting of two groups; specifically, one group undergoing a self-directed internet-based intervention for coping with procrastination (N=160) and (2) another group with delayed access to the intervention programmes (waitlist control group; N=160). Follow-up assessments were scheduled 6 and 12 weeks after baseline, and the control group received the intervention after 12 weeks. Procrastination, measured by the Irrational Procrastination Scale and the Simple Procrastination Scale, was examined as the primary outcome. Meanwhile, secondary outcomes included susceptibility, stress, depression, anxiety, well-being, self-efficacy, time management strategies, self-control, cognition, and emotion regulation. Other measures comprised acceptability (e.g., intervention satisfaction, potential side effects, and expectations) and learning behaviour analysis to reflect adherence.
DISCUSSION CONCLUSIONS
This randomized controlled trial will provide data on the effectiveness of online interventions for adult procrastination. If deemed effective, this low-cost, high-coverage internet-based intervention could aid more people who seek to address their procrastination.
TRIAL REGISTRATION BACKGROUND
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.  https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=171246 .

Identifiants

pubmed: 36747265
doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07112-7
pii: 10.1186/s13063-023-07112-7
pmc: PMC9900198
doi:

Types de publication

Clinical Trial Protocol Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

82

Subventions

Organisme : Beijing Municipal Social Science Foundation
ID : 19JYB023

Informations de copyright

© 2023. The Author(s).

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Auteurs

Ying Zhou (Y)

School of Education, Beijing Open University, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China. zhouy@bjou.edu.cn.

Jianhua Wang (J)

School of Foreign Languages, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, People's Republic of China.

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Classifications MeSH