Collaboration, research and development

Research Behind The Student Compass

Since its inception in 2012, the Student Compass program has been at the forefront of student well-being research. Developed at the University of Jyväskylä, the program has undergone continuous, rigorous scientific evaluation, leading to a growing body of evidence demonstrating its effectiveness. Our mission has been clear from the start: to create accessible, evidence-based mental well-being support tailored specifically for university students.

To date, over 1300 students have taken part in the coach-supported version of the program, with guidance provided by more than 350 trained psychology students. These coaches, supervised and trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and behavioral analysis, offer structured, low-threshold support—both face-to-face and online. This unique training opportunity also helps psychology trainees develop practical skills while making a meaningful impact on the student community.

The Student Compass can be used independently or with varying levels of support, including one-on-one and group coaching, or more intensive guidance from university specialists, like psychologists. The program is available to Finnish and international students at the University of Jyväskylä. While students benefit from flexible participation options, our research has particularly focused on the supported model, which combines digital modules with personalized feedback, face-to-face meetings, and reflective tasks.

What the Research Shows

Our studies—including randomized controlled trials—show consistently promising outcomes. Participation in Student Compass significantly improves emotional, social, and psychological well-being, self-acceptance, mindfulness skills, and overall life satisfaction, while also reducing stress, symptoms of depression, and anxiety.

Research doesn’t stop at effectiveness. We are also investigating the mechanisms behind these outcomes: What type of feedback helps most? What level of personalization is effective? How does coach's support impact progress? Our studies have even employed AI-assisted text analysis to explore these dimensions more deeply.

Expanding Horizons

The Student Compass has been piloted in Germany, Italy, and English-speaking settings, with strong early results. Our reach continues to expand through national and international collaborations with institutions like the University of Helsinki, Tampere University, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, and Leipzig University, among others.

In cooperation with Annie Advisor, we are currently developing an AI-based chatbot prototype built on the core material of the Student Compass program. This cutting-edge AI future integration aims to deliver timely and personalized well-being support, making the program’s benefits even more widely accessible for students.

Below you will find a list of ongoing and past collaborations. In the following sections 'Publications' and 'Conference presentations', you will find updated lists of all known publications and conference presentations based on the Student Compass program.