Publications
Research articles and theses on the Student Compass
Peer-reviewed research articles
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Räsänen, P., Muotka, J, Lappalainen, R. (2023). Examining coaches' asynchronous written feedback in two blended ACT-based interventions for enhancing university students' wellbeing and reducing psychological distress: A randomized study. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, ISSN 2212-1447. |
Introduction. Internet-delivered cognitive and behavioral interventions have been shown to be effective in enhancing university students' well-being and reducing symptoms of stress and depression. However, few studies have examined the active components that may contribute to their effectiveness. The present study aimed to explore what kind of online written coach feedback would be useful on participants’ outcomes and satisfaction in two Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) blended interventions. Methods. ACT-trained master's level psychology students offered coach support (n = 50; 88% female, Mage = 26 years) to university students, who were randomly assigned to two parallel groups, each offered three face-to-face sessions and an online five-module ACT-based program. One group (iACTa, n = 61) received free-form personalized, individually tailored written feedback, and the other (iACTb, n = 62) received semi-structured written feedback with minimal personalization options. Results. Both groups had gains from participating in the interventions across all measures, including well-being, psychological flexibility, mindfulness skills, and reduction of stress and depression symptoms. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups except for well-being, which favored the iACTb. The iACTa group saw mostly small to large effect sizes (d = .44–0.80) while medium to large effect sizes were observed for the iACTb group (d = .69–0.83). The retention rate was good (iACTa: n = 51, 83.6%, iACTb: n = 54, 87.1%). Semi-structured features almost halved the coaches’ written response time for each participant (31 min in iACTa vs. 18 min in iACTb). Conclusions. The results shed light in the very limited research available and suggest that ACT-based, blended internet interventions with semi-structured coach feedback and minimally tailored features can be as effective as interventions with fully personalized feedback in treatment outcomes and participants’ satisfaction. |
Brandolin, F., Lappalainen, P., Simone Gorinelli, S., Muotka, J., Räsänen, P. & Lappalainen, P. (2023). The effectiveness of a five-session workshop on the distress of international students in Finland – a pilot study. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 51(6), 865-882. |
The mental health of international students has become a concern, as they face high levels of psychological distress. We designed a five-week acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) workshop with two additional individual assessment meetings. The intervention aimed at helping international students attending a Finnish university to reduce their symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety, and enhance skills of psychological flexibility. The post-assessment was conducted seven weeks after the pre-measurement. Using data from 53 participants, an evaluation indicated that statistically and clinically significant reductions in symptoms were observed, and the workshop was well received. Regression analyses revealed that changes in psychological inflexibility, mindfulness, and value-based living acted as predictors of change in symptoms. Furthermore, changes in these psychological skills predicted changes in different kinds of distress. This study suggests that a brief group intervention might be a feasible alternative for enhancing the psychological well-being of international students. |
Repo, S., Elovainio, M., Pyörälä, E., Iriarte-Lûttjohann, M., Tuominen, T. A., Härkönen, T. K., Gluschkoff, K., & Paunio, T. (2022). Comparison of two different mindfulness interventions among health care students in Finland: a randomised controlled trial. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 27(3), 709-734. |
We investigated the short- and long-term effects of two different evidence-based mindfulness training on students’ stress and well-being. A randomised controlled trial with three measurement points (baseline, post-intervention, and 4 months post-intervention) was conducted among undergraduate students of medicine, dentistry, psychology, and logopaedics at the University of Helsinki. The participants were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) face-to-face mindfulness training based on the Mindfulness Skills for Students course (n = 40), (2) a web-based Student Compass program using Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment therapy (n = 22), and (3) a control group that received mental health support as usual (n = 40). The primary outcome was psychological distress measured using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE-OM). Secondary outcomes included hair cortisol concentrations and a wide range of well-being indicators. Psychological distress increased in all the groups from baseline to post-intervention, but significantly less so in the intervention groups than in the control group. At 4-month follow-up, were found no differences between the primary outcomes of the control and intervention groups, but the participants who continued practising mindfulness at least twice a week were less stressed than the others. Our results suggest that participating in a mindfulness course may mitigate health care students’ psychological distress during the academic year, but only if the participants continue practising mindfulness at least twice a week. |
Räsänen, P., Muotka, J., and Lappalainen, R. (2020). Examining mediators of change in wellbeing, stress, and depression in a blended, Internet-based, ACT intervention for university students. Internet Interventions, 22, 100343. |
A coach-guided Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention that uses a blended approach of two face-to-face and five online sessions (iACT; N = 33) has been found to be more effective than a waiting-list control condition (WLC; N = 35) at enhancing the wellbeing of university students while also reducing stress and depression. The present study explored possible mediators of change that may account for the outcomes of the study. Mediation analyses revealed that changes in the non-reactivity subscale of mindfulness mediated changes in wellbeing, depression, and stress in the iACT group. In addition, changes in the sense of coherence subscale of meaningfulness mediated changes in all outcomes. Psychological flexibility and cognitive defusion did not mediate changes in outcomes. The results suggest that the use of practices focusing on non-reactivity, meaning the ability to allow thoughts and feelings to come and go without getting carried away by them, is especially important for enhancing the wellbeing of university students. A focus on enhancing meaningfulness also plays a significant role in reducing psychological distress. These findings provide a first step toward understanding the potential mechanisms of change taking place in brief, Internet-supported, blended ACT programs. |
Räsänen, P., Lappalainen, P., Muotka, J., Tolvanen, A. & Lappalainen, R. (2016). An online guided ACT intervention for enhancing the psychological wellbeing of university students: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 78, 30–42. |
Stress, anxiety, and depression are relatively common problems among university students. An online psychological intervention aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of university students could be an effective and practical alternative for meeting the needs of a university population. University students (N = 68; 85% female; 19–32 years old) were randomly assigned to either a guided seven-week online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (iACT) intervention or a waiting list control condition (WLC). A between-groups pre-post (iACT vs WLC) design with a 12-month follow-up for the iACT participants was conducted. The intervention participants were offered two face-to-face meetings, completed online exercises during a five-week period, and received personal weekly written feedback via the website from their randomly assigned, trained student coaches. Waitlist participants were offered the intervention program soon after the post measurements. Results in this small efficacy trial showed that the iACT participants had significantly higher gains in wellbeing (between-group, d = 0.46), life satisfaction (d = 0.65), and mindfulness skills (d = 0.49). In addition, iACT participants’ self-reported stress (d = 0.54) and symptoms of depression (d = 0.69) were significantly reduced compared to the participants in the control group. These benefits were maintained over a 12-month follow-up period (within iACT group, d = 0.65-0.69, for primary measures). The results suggest that an online-based, coach-guided ACT program with blended face-to-face and online sessions could be an effective and well-accepted alternative for enhancing the wellbeing of university students. |
Lappalainen, R., Kade, K., Niemi, A., Räsänen, P. (2015). Acceptance and commitment therapy-based online intervention to promote students’ well-being: Effectiveness, reasons to participate and experiences. Käyttäytymisanalyysi ja -terapia, 4, 11–28. |
The aim of this research was to examine the effectiveness of Student Compass -online intervention that is developed to promote students’ well-being. In addition, we were interested in why students wanted to use the program, what they hoped from the intervention and what kind of experiences they had of the program. Students (n=14) used for five weeks acceptance and commitment-based well-being program that consisted of predefined weekly themes. During these five weeks students worked independently online on different exercises as well as met with a coach via the program and three times face to face. The results showed that the intervention increased students’ well-being (MHC-SF, effect size g = 0.68) and life satisfaction (LSQ, g = 0.65) as well as decreased depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms (DASS, g = 0.55) and self-reported problems (Problem list, g = 0.74). Most common reasons to participate in the online intervention was fatigue, feeling overwhelmed, stress or exhaustion as well as anxiety and problems with mood. Students’ experiences of the program were positive for the most part. The satisfaction with the program was overall high, and students thought that the program matched with their wishes and needs. According to the results even relatively brief supported online intervention can be effective in improving students’ well-being. What was interesting was that the three personal meetings model used in this online intervention didn’t seem to increase the effectiveness of the intervention in comparison to the two personal meetings model. |
Lappalainen, R., Järvisalo, S., Räsänen, P. & Lappalainen, P. (2012). The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy-based online intervention in improving university students’ well-being. Käyttäytymisanalyysi ja -terapia, 17(3–4), 20–32. |
Developing effective ways to improve students’ well-being at low cost is part of the future of learning environments. Mood, anxiety, and stress disorders affect as much as a quarter of students in university populations. Because internet is practically available to all university students, their well-being and ability to study could be improved with online-based well-being programs that could promote students' well-being with short waiting times and minimal resources. This research examines how effective an acceptance and commitment therapy-based online intervention is in treating students reported psychological symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression and in promoting their psychological well-being. According to the results the acceptance and commitment therapy-based well-being program, developed to relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression within six weeks, had a significant impact on participants' psychological well-being and function. |
Master's theses on the Student Compass
Master's Theses
Ten Master's theses in Finnish and in English
- Konttinen, O. & Koistinen, P. (2021). Onnellisuutta läsnäololla : tietoisuustaitojen yhteys koettuun onnellisuuteen Opiskelijan Kompassi -verkkointerventiossa. Pro gradu -tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto. https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78192?show=full
- Lantto, K. (2021). An online guided ACT intervention for students: What are the student experiences, and do they differ depending on anxiety level? Master’s thesis. Psychology Department. University of Jyväskylä. https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77009?show=full
- Ilkka, J.& Lehtonen, H. (2021). Opiskelijoiden arvotyöskentelyn yhteys hyvinvointiin ja psyykkisiin oireisiin hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapiaan pohjautuvan verkkointervention aikana. Pro gradu -tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto. https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76972?show=full
- Muhonen, M. & Pesonen, K. (2019). Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapia pohjaisen ryhmäintervention vaikuttavuus opiskelijoiden hyvinvointiin. Pro gradu -tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto. https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/65010
- Heikkilä, A. & Ollgren, J. (2019). Embodied ACT: Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapiaan ja kehollisiin läsnäoloharjoituksiin perustuva ryhmäinterventio yliopisto-opiskelijoiden hyvinvoinnin tukemisessa. Pro gradu -tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto. https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/68572
- Mäenpää, M. & Peltola, K. (2018). Psykologisen joustamattomuuden, tietoisuustaitojen ja tehtyjen sanavalintojen yhteys opiskelijoiden kokemaan stressiin ja sen muutoksiin verkkovälitteisen hyvinvointiohjelman aikana.Pro gradu -tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto. https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/58600
- Herrala, A. & Luoma, H. (2017). Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapiaan pohjautuva verkkointerventio opiskelijoille: psykologisen joustavuuden kasvun merkitys ja vaikutukset hyvinvointiin sekä yhteydet opittuihin taitoihin ja muutoskokemuksiin. Pro gradu -tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto. https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/54697
- Ahlfors, E. & Sirkiä, L. (2016). Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapiaan perustuva tuettu verkkointerventio hyvinvoinnin edistämiseksi yliopisto-opiskelijoilla: Ohjelmaan käytetyn ajan yhteys hoitotulokseen. Pro gradu -tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto. https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/51287
- Tuovinen, E. (2016). Opiskelijan Kompassi: käytettävyyden ja käyttökokemuksen parantaminen. Pro gradu -tutkielma. Tietojärjestelmätiede. Jyväskylän yliopisto.
- Järvisalo, S. (2015). Effectiveness of internet-delivered therapist supported acceptance and commitment therapy intervention in the treatment of depression, anxiety and stress on university students. Master’s thesis. Psychology Department. University of Jyväskylä. https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/48852
Bachelor's theses
Twelve Bachelor's theses in Finnish and in English
- Hietala, I. & Mätäsaho, A. (2023). Arvojen mukaisen elämän yhteys opiskelu-uupumukseen Opiskelijan Kompassin verkko-ohjelmassa. Kandidaatintutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Tampereen yliopisto.
- Koistinen, J. (2020). Students Compass’s effectiveness to university student’s subjective depression. Social Service. Jamk University of Applied Sciences. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/338261
- Jalava, S. (2018). Working in the Student Compass as Welfare Manager Students in social and health care in digital interventions. Degree Programme in Nursing. Jamk University of Applied Sciences. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/158338
- Di Baldo, M. & Karjalainen, L. (2016). Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapiapohjainen verkkointerventio opiskelijoiden hyvinvoinnin tukemiseen – Koettujen ongelmien yhteys psykologiseen joustavuuteen. Kandidaatin tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto.
- Arasalo, V. & Peurala, E. (2016). Hyvinvointivalmentajan palautteen merkitys HOT-verkkointerventiossa: Satunnaistettu kontrolloitu tutkimus. Kandidaatin tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto.
- Tarsia, S. (2016). Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapia -pohjainen verkkointerventio opiskelijoiden hyvinvoinnin edistämisessä: Palautteen antaminen ja hyvinvoinnin kehittyminen. Kandidaatin tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto.
- Ala-Keturi, T. (2015). HOT-pohjaisen lyhytaikaisen verkkohoidon vaikutus mindfulness-taitoihin sekä tunne-elämään, sosiaaliseen ja psykologiseen hyvinvointiin suomalaisilla yliopisto-opiskelijoilla: Jatkuvuus ja muutos intervention jälkeen sekä seurantatutkimuksen aikana. Kandidaatin tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto.
- Finnholm, A. (2015). Lyhyen hyväksyntä- ja arvopohjaisen tuetun verkkointervention vaikuttavuus opiskelijoiden hyvinvointiin. Kandidaatintutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto.
- Kade, K. & Niemi, A. (2015). Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapiapohjainen verkkointerventio opiskelijoiden hyvinvoinnin tukemiseen: Opiskelijan Kompassi –ohjelman vaikuttavuus, syys osallistua, toiveet ja kokemukset. Kandidaatin tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto.
- Mäkinen, R. & Puustinen, J. (2014). Opiskelijan Kompassi Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapiaan perustuva verkkointerventio opiskelijoille: Tapaustutkimus verkko-interventiosta eniten hyötyneistä koehenkilöistä. Kandidaatin tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto.
- Lehtonen, R. (2013). Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapiaan perustuva verkkomuotoinen lyhytinterventio opiskelijoiden hyvinvoinnin parantamiseksi. Tukihenkilön merkitys verkkointerventiossa asiakkaan näkökulmasta. Kandidaatin tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto.
- Kipponen, T & Koskinen, K. (2012). Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapiaan perustuva verkkomuotoinen lyhytinterventio opiskelijoiden hyvinvoinnin parantamiseksi – Hoitovasteeseen vaikuttavia tekijöitä tapaustutkimuksen keinoin. Kandidaatin tutkielma. Psykologian laitos. Jyväskylän yliopisto.