Objectives: Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has been linked to poor impulse control. Episodic

future thinking (EFT), which involves mentally simulating future events, may help modifying

smartphone use behavior by targeting the cognitive mechanisms underlying impulsivity. This pilot

study aimed to provide a preliminary assessment of the effects of EFT on impulse control, as well

as on emotional and behavioral outcomes.

Method: fifty-three high school girls with reported PSU who were motivated to control mobile

phone use, were recruited and completed a series of assessments including UPPS Impulsive

behavior scale, Money choice Questionnaire which they repeated them once they finished the

intervention. As part of the daily assessments conducted between the pre- and post-assessments,

participants reported their mobile phone usage and completed the PANAS and Theory of Planned

Behavior (TPB) questionnaires.

Results: The EFT group showed significant improvements on the positive urgency and

premeditation subscales of impulsivity, as measured by the UPPS. Additionally, participants in the

EFT group reported an increase in the perceived behavioral control component of the TPB, along

with greater time spent on task-oriented mobile phone use—suggesting a more productive and

self-regulated usage pattern compared to the control group.

Conclusions: Our preliminary results support the promising effect of the EFT intervention, which

helps participants envision a more expansive future and, in turn, gain greater control over

impulsivity. In our study, this was reflected in increased productive mobile phone use. However,

future studies are needed to replicate and confirm these findings in larger samples.