## Candidate mechanisms of cognitive-behavioral therapy for procrastination ### Authors - [[Magdalena Pietruch]] - [[Joachim Kowalski]] - [[Weronika Maria Browarczyk]] - [[Jarosław M. Michałowski]] - [[Marek Wypych]] #presentation Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions, identified in meta-analyses as promising treatments for procrastination (Rozental et al., 2018; [[Wendelien van Eerde|van Eerde]] & [[Katrin Klingsieck|Klingsieck]], 2018), aim to reduce task avoidance by addressing its underlying causes and sustaining mechanisms. However, few empirical studies to date report which mechanisms underlie the efficacy of the tested interventions. Understanding such mechanisms could support the optimization and personalization of interventions. In the present research, we conducted secondary analyses from a randomized controlled trial of 5-week group CBT interventions for procrastination compared to a waitlist control group. First, we aimed to identify potential moderators of treatment efficacy. Second, we examined whether changes in specific constructs related to procrastination mediated the intervention outcome, potentially constituting the mechanisms of therapeutic change. Intervention outcome (change in procrastination scores) and candidate mediators (several constructs identified in the established models of procrastination) were measured before, in the middle and after the intervention or waiting period. Moderation and mediation models were analyzed on intention-to-treat results of 222 help-seeking, high-procrastinating university students who qualified to participate in the trial. The intervention effects were consistent across age and gender. Among potential moderators, only higher baseline procrastination was associated with greater treatment effects; baseline symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD were not found to be significant moderators. Mediation results suggested that successful CBT interventions for procrastination worked through increasing temporal orientation towards the future (future goal prioritization), increasing task value (meaning and interest in completing particular tasks related to long-term goals), and decreasing fear of failure. However, no mediation model fully accounted for the therapeutic change, suggesting that additional mechanisms are involved. Along with results from the trial, an integrated cognitive-behavioral model of procrastination will be presented. Such a model could be used in case conceptualization and inform future treatment developments. ### Keywords: [[clinical interventions]], [[treatment]], [[cognitive-behavioral therapy]], [[mechanisms of change]], [[treatment mediators]], [[treatment moderators]], [[randomized controlled trial]]