The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on academic procrastination in medical sciences students of Zanjan University

Abstract

Objectives Procrastination and academic failure are factors that are on the rise among medical universities and threaten the educational system. Therefore, it is necessary to identify interventions that can reduce these factors. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on academic procrastination in Medical Sciences students of Zanjan University, Zanjan City, Iran. Methods This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test & post-test design and case and control groups. The statistical population was all students with academic failure who were referred to the University Counseling Office during the academic year 1996-7, out of whom 38 were enrolled in the study considering the inclusion criteria and academic procrastination score. The study data were collected using the standard Solomon’s and Rothlobom questionnaire. Students’ academic performance was also measured by their semester grade point average. Covariance analysis and analysis of covariance were used for data analysis in SPSS V. 24. Results The mean academic procrastination was significantly different between the two groups at the post-test (P<0.05). Group F was statistically significant in academic procrastination equal to 257.553 (P<0.05), so the effectiveness of ACT on academic procrastination and its components was confirmed. Concerning academic performance, the F of the group factor was equal to 9.59 and at the level of P<0.05 which was statistically significant. Conclusion The results show the effectiveness of ACT on student’s procrastination and academic failure.