Research Article

Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study

Volume: 13 Number: 2 May 30, 2026
TR EN

Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study

Abstract

This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental pilot study design to evaluate the effects of an Internet-Based Guided Intervention Program (Ertele-Me) on university students' procrastination behaviors, time management, and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The program consists of five Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based modules focusing respectively on psychoeducation about procrastination, self-regulation and time management skills, cognitive interventions, behavioral strategies, and maintenance of gains. Seventy-two students applied to participate in the study, and 26 eligible participants were assigned to either the experimental (N = 13) or control (N = 13) group. While the experimental group received a five-week internet-based guided intervention, the control group was informed that the intervention would begin at a later date. Data were collected using the Tuckman Procrastination Scale (TPS), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Time Management Questionnaire (TMQ). Findings indicated a significant reduction in procrastination behaviors and an improvement in time management skills within the experimental group. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the post-test scores of the two groups. These preliminary findings suggest that internet-based guided self-help programs are promising tools for supporting the academic development of university students. Further research with larger samples and more rigorous methodological designs is recommended. This study was registered and completed as a clinical trial in the ClinicalTrials.gov database under registration number NCT06278142.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Tübitak - The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

Project Number

123K049

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (Decision No: 2022/09/24, Date: 22.11.2022). Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Thanks

This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), under project number 123K049. We would like to thank all participants and stakeholders who contributed to the study.

References

  1. Amarnath, A., Özmen, S., Struijs, S. Y., de Wit, L., & Cuijpers, P. (2023). Effectiveness of a guided internet-based intervention for procrastination among university students: A randomized controlled trial study protocol. Internet Interventions, 32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2023.100612
  2. Akın Sarı, B., İnözü, M., Hacıömeroğlu, A. B., Trak, E., Tufan, D., & Doron, G. (2022). Cognitive training using a mobile app as a coping tool against COVID-19 distress: A crossover randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 311, 604–613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.05.118
  3. Alay, S., & Koçak, S. (2002). Zaman yönetimi anketi: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 22(22), 9–13.
  4. Andersson, G., Bergström, J., Buhrman, M., Carlbring, P., Holländare, F., Kaldo, V., Nilsson-Ihrfelt, E., Paxling, B., Ström, L., & Waara, J. (2008). Development of a new approach to guided self-help via the internet: The Swedish experience. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 26(2-4), 161–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228830802094627
  5. Andersson, G., & Cuijpers, P. (2009). Internet-based and other computerized psychological treatments for adult depression: A meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 38(4), 196–205. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506070903318960
  6. Andersson, G., & Titov, N. (2014). Advantages and limitations of Internet-based interventions for common mental disorders. World Psychiatry, 13(1), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20083
  7. Åsberg, K., & Bendtsen, M. (2023). Evaluating the effectiveness of a brief digital procrastination intervention targeting university students in Sweden: Study protocol for the Focus randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 13(7). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072506
  8. Barak, A., Klein, B., & Proudfoot, J. G. (2009). Defining internet-supported therapeutic interventions. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 38(1), 4–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9130-7

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychotherapy Practise and Research

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

May 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 2

APA
Avşar, F., Baltacı, Ö., & Özer, Ö. (2026). Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi, 13(2), 343-371. https://doi.org/10.31682/ayna.1735720
AMA
1.Avşar F, Baltacı Ö, Özer Ö. Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi. 2026;13(2):343-371. doi:10.31682/ayna.1735720
Chicago
Avşar, Fadime, Önder Baltacı, and Ömer Özer. 2026. “Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study”. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi 13 (2): 343-71. https://doi.org/10.31682/ayna.1735720.
EndNote
Avşar F, Baltacı Ö, Özer Ö (May 1, 2026) Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi 13 2 343–371.
IEEE
[1]F. Avşar, Ö. Baltacı, and Ö. Özer, “Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study”, AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 343–371, May 2026, doi: 10.31682/ayna.1735720.
ISNAD
Avşar, Fadime - Baltacı, Önder - Özer, Ömer. “Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study”. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi 13/2 (May 1, 2026): 343-371. https://doi.org/10.31682/ayna.1735720.
JAMA
1.Avşar F, Baltacı Ö, Özer Ö. Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi. 2026;13:343–371.
MLA
Avşar, Fadime, et al. “Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study”. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi, vol. 13, no. 2, May 2026, pp. 343-71, doi:10.31682/ayna.1735720.
Vancouver
1.Fadime Avşar, Önder Baltacı, Ömer Özer. Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Guided Self-Help CBT Program for Reducing Procrastination in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi. 2026 May 1;13(2):343-71. doi:10.31682/ayna.1735720