JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

University students’ mental health problems are highly prevalent globally, which underlines the need for accessible and cost-effective mental health services in universities. Loneliness is a key risk factor for mental-health problems, and it disproportionately affects students from minority backgrounds. Therefore, addressing loneliness and fostering inclusion and equality can be crucial strategies for enhancing student wellbeing.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to investigate a social-identity group intervention called Groups 4 Health (G4H) for university student wellbeing using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Here, we present the research protocol and report preliminary descriptive findings from the study cohort.

Methods:

The quantitative part of the study is a four parallel-arm non-randomized controlled trial aiming to recruit 600 student participants from the University of Helsinki. The experimental group, which receives the G4H intervention, includes five group meetings held over a 7-week period. The experimental group will be compared to two active comparators: groups organized by the University of Helsinki study psychologists and a seven-week online intervention course focused on wellbeing and study skills, and to a no-intervention control group. The primary quantitative outcomes of the study are loneliness and depression, secondary outcomes include several measures of student wellbeing, academic performance, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Quantitative data are collected before the intervention, during the intervention (at week 3), immediately post-intervention (at week 7 after baseline), and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. The qualitative part of the study explores the challenges and opportunities related to inclusion and equality identified in the G4H intervention using observations, interviews, and focus group discussions.

Results:

The recruitment is ongoing. In the preliminary findings based on the first data freeze in spring 2025, we observed differences in the background characteristics between the trial arms, highlighting the need to address group selection bias. First results from the study are expected in 2026.

Conclusions:

If proven effective, these interventions have significant potential to improve student wellbeing in both short and long term, fostering positive mental health and supporting academic success and future career paths. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT06542029 (retrospectively registered, date: 12.9.2024)