Abstract
Results achieved
The aim of this research was to promote mental health in Italian university students by the implementation of psychological interventions aimed at promoting well-being and delivered by the use of digital technologies, including a virtual reality. Using a “stepped care” approach the project had the following objectives: 1) to implement a online group positive intervention (DigiWell_Step 1) focused to promote well-being and to minimize mental health stigma in university students with impairments in well-being dimensions and mild levels of psychological distress ; 2) to test the effectiveness and the feasibility of a Virtual -Reality psychological intervention in the treatment of university students with moderate psychological distress (DigiWell_Step 2) 3) to identify students with high levels of psychological distress 4) to identify students with optimal levels of well-being The project included 3 research units that actively collaborated in recruiting participants and in implementing the research activities. A total of 375 students were enrolled in the project. Concerning the research objectives, the following achievements have been reached: 1) for the DigiWell_Step 1 intervention - focused to promote well-being and to minimize mental health stigma in university students with impairments in well-being dimensions and mild levels of psychological distress- a total of 41 students were assigned to the online group intervention and were treated in the 3 research units. The preliminary results (pre-post intervention assessment) documented a significant decrease in negative affect and improvements in resilience and coping strategies. A manuscript is currently under preparation for publication. 2) for the DigiWell_Step 2 ( Virtual -Reality psychological intervention for the treatment of university students with moderate psychological distress) a total of 18 students were treated in 2 out of 3 research units. The preliminary results (pre-post intervention assessment) documented a significant improvement in dimensions of well-being, positive affect and resilience. A manuscript is currently under review for a possible publication in the international scientific journal “Virtual Reality”. Additionaly, another manuscript with a case report treated with the new VR software has been submitted for a special issue in Frontiers-Mental Health. 3) concerning the identification of students with high levels of psychological distress our research findings documented that the majority(62%) of students reported severe psychological distress; another 34% reported moderate mental health according to the screening procedure. 4) concerning the identification of students with optimal levels of well-being, our research findings documented that only 4,3% of the initial sample reported optimal levels of well-being. These data were used to prepare 3 research articles that were submitted and published in peer-reviewed international journals: published with Open Access policy: 1. Ruini, C., Vescovelli, F., Cesarano, V. P., De Angelis, G., De Marco, E., De Marco, E. L., ... & Limone, P. (2024). Utilizing digital thechnologies to promote well-being in university students: the ‘DigiWell’research protocol. Frontiers in psychology, 15, 1397870. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1397870 2. Cesarano, V.P., De Angelis, G., De Marco, E.L., Limone, P., Pingani, L., Ruini, C., Castaldo, S., De Marco, E., Li Pira, G., Polizzotto, G., & Vescovelli, F. (2025). Human-machine interaction and psychological well-being in university students: results from the PRIN DigiWell Project. Italian Journal of Health Education, Sports and Inclusive Didactics, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.32043/gsd.v9i1.1453 . 3. Ruini, C., Vescovelli, F., De Angelis, G., De Marco, E., Castaldo, S., Cesarano, V. P., ... & Pira, G. L. (2026). The contribution of emotion regulation in determining individuals’ profiles of positive mental health. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 101053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2026.101053. The research project was initially disseminated through the official websites, social networks and newsletters of the 3 universities involved (Unibo, Unimore, Unipegaso). The research activities were also presented to students through specific seminars organized during teaching activities and in collaboration with Universities’professors and teaching coordinators. The DigiWell project and its initial results were also disseminated to the academic communities via participation to national and international congresses. The researchers presented posters, oral communications and seminars. (i.e., XXV National Congress, Italian Psychological Association, Clinical and Dynamic section, Perugia, September 2025; World Congress of the International Positive Psychology Association, Brisbane, Australia, 2-4 July 2025; European Congress of Positive Psychology, Dublin, 1-4 July 2026) The research project has advanced scientific knowledge about the profiles of resilience and vulnerability of Italian university students. The findings have also documented the feasibility and effectiveness of mental health promotion interventions in university students. The use of digital technologies (VR in particular) made the interventions delivered in a stepped care approach more usable, cost-effective and more engaging for the targeted population. Abstract: Mental health problems related to (anxiety and depression), are frequently reported by university student .Also, impaired levels of well-being were found to be indicators of risk for mental health. Psychological interventions within the perspective of positive psychology have demonstrated that it is possible to increase the levels of well-being, with the support of digital technologies. The aim of this research is: 1) to implement a online group positive intervention (DigiWell_Step 1) focused to promote well-being and to minimize mental health stigma in university students with impairments in well-being dimensions and mild levels of psychological distress ; 2) to test the effectiveness and the feasibility of a Virtual -Reality psychological intervention in the treatment of university students with moderate psychological distress (DigiWell_Step 2) ; and 3) identify students with high levels of psychological 4) to identify students with optimal levels of well-being Expected results: We expect that students treated with DigiWell_Step1 and Step2 will significantly improve their level of wellbeing and at the same time they will decrease their psychological distress at post intervention. Moreover, we expect that the improvements at post intervention will be maintained also after the six-months follow up. The research project will advance scientific knowledge about the feasibility and effectiveness of mental health promotion interventions in university students, recognized as particularly vulnerable after the pandemic. The use of digital technologies will make the interventions delivered in a stepped care approach more usable, cost-effective and more engaging for the targeted population.Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Chiara Ruini
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Qualità della Vita
Coordinatore:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Contributo totale di progetto: Euro (EUR) 219.896,00
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 88.027,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
05/10/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
