JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

College students commonly struggle with procrastination, which is linked to mental health complaints and poor academic performance. Interventions based on cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be effective in reducing procrastination. Traditional, face-to-face therapy as well as online interventions have shown promising outcomes, with the latter overcoming help-seeking barriers such as lengthy referral processes and waiting lists.

Objective:

This study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a new e-health intervention targeting procrastination for college students ('GetStarted') with guidance by student e-coaches. This CBT-based intervention was designed specifically for and together with the target demographic of students studying in the Netherlands. Guidance was offered by trained Clinical Psychology students in the form of written motivational, supportive messages.

Methods:

We conducted a single-arm study. Primary outcomes are satisfaction (CSQ-8), usability, (SUS-10) and adherence (completion rate). Secondary outcomes are changes to procrastination (IPS), depression (PHQ-9), stress (PSS-10), quality of life (MHQoL) and e-coaching satisfaction (WAI-I).

Results:

Of 734 participants that started the intervention, 335 (45.6%) completed the post-test. Students report being satisfied with the intervention (CSQ-8 M = 23.48; SD = 3.23) and find it very usable (SUS-10 M = 34.39; SD = 4.52). Regarding adherence, participants completed 68.95% of the intervention on average, while 36.65% participants completed the full intervention. Participants showed a significant decrease in procrastination (IPS M = 35.39 to 32.56, Cohen’s d = .63), depression (PHQ-9 M = 9.27 to 7.73, Cohen’s d = .35) and stress (PSS-10 M = 20.79 to 19.02, Cohen’s d = .31) as well as an increase in quality of life (MHQoL M = 12.81 to 13.65, Cohen’s d = .37) from baseline to post-test to follow-up. Participants reported a moderate to strong alliance with their e-coach (WAI-I M = 45.26; SD = 7.72).

Conclusions:

The internet-based, student-guided intervention 'GetStarted' targeting procrastination appears to be acceptable and feasible for college students in the Netherlands. However, high attrition rates and the lack of a control group mean that results must be interpreted with caution. To further examine intervention effectiveness, a randomized controlled trial needs to be conducted.