Comparison of training cognitive-behavioral methods and time management strategies on alleviating procrastination and perfectionism of university students

This study was conducted with the aim of comparison of two cognitive- behavioral methods (with an emphasis on Beck and Alices's pattern) and training time management strategies (with an emphasis on Luis and Tracy's model) in an effort to alleviate procrastination and perfectionism of university students. The sample consisted of 80 students who were identified as procrastination and perfectionism through a test tapping the same constructs. They were placed randomly into two groups: experimental and control. In order to avoid subject loss, all subjects were placed into three groups: cognitive-behavioral (n=27), time management strategies (n=27), and the control group (n=26). The results of a covariance showed that there was a significant difference between perfectionism and procrastination among the groups under study. Results also showed that procrastination and perfectionism dropped significantly in the cognitive- behavioral group and time management group in comparison with the control group. But, a significant difference was not found between the two experimental groups in terms of procrastination and perfectionism. We can say that both cognitive-behavioral method and time management strategies were effective in alleviating perfectionism and procrastination. But, the former was more effective although no significant differences were found.