CompletedNot Applicable

How to Help Students Overcome Academic Procrastination

Switzerland115 participantsStarted 2023-01-31

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate two different treatment methods in a sample of procrastinating students of the University of Basel and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. As first treatment, a cognitive-behavioral treatment has been chosen as these type of treatment already showed promising results in reducing students' procrastination behavior. The alternative to the more time-intensive cognitive-behavioral treatment is the application of imaginary pills to students suffering from procrastination. This study evaluates the potential of the cognitive-behavioral and the imaginary pill treatment to reduce procrastination in a three-arm randomized controlled trial with parallel group between-subject design.

Who can participate

Age range18 Years – 40 Years

SexALL

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Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female Bachelor's and Master's students of the University of Basel and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) * Age between 18 and 40 * Self-reported academic procrastination criterion is fulfilled (IPS value ≥ 29 points) * Healthy by self-report statement (i.e., no known current physiological or psychological disorders, not taking medication, not in psychological/psychiatric treatment) * Willing to participate in the study * Sufficient German language skills to follow the instructions and participate in group sessions Exclusion Criteria: * Self-reported academic procrastination criteria not fulfilled: IPS \< 29 * Any current psychological or physiological disease * Current psychological or psychiatric treatment * Current intake of psychotropic medication * Insufficient German language skills to understand the instructions or discuss in group sessions * Daily consumption of more than three alcoholic standard beverages (a standard alcoholic beverage is defined as either 3dl beer or 1dl wine or 2cl spirits) * Regular drug consumption (THC, cocaine, heroin, etc.)

What they're measuring

Change in German version of the Irrational Procrastination Scale (IPS)

Timeframe: At baseline (t0 = week 1), week 9 (t1), week 16 (t2), and week 42 (t4)

Change in Academic Procrastination State Inventory (APSI)

Timeframe: At baseline (t0 = week 1), week 9 (t1), week 16 (t2), and week 42 (t4)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05730101

SponsorUniversity Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-12-22