Psychosocial support for student loneliness: A pilot of Groups 4 Health at Helsinki University

Abstract Background Loneliness and psychological distress are common among Finnish university students, with rates higher than in the general population. These issues significantly impact mental health and well-being. Groups 4 Health (G4H) is a group-based intervention designed to improve social connectedness. While G4H has been shown to reduce loneliness in Australian students, its effectiveness in European university settings remains untested. This pilot study aimed to assess whether G4H could reduce loneliness and improve well-being among Finnish university students. Methods Data were collected in 2022 as part of the pilot phase of the INSIGHT research project. University students (ages 19-53) were randomly assigned to either the G4H intervention group (n = 29) or study psychologist-led group counselling (SP; n = 29). Participants completed self-report measures of loneliness, well-being, depression, anxiety, and social anxiety at baseline, post-intervention, and one- and three-month follow-ups. Changes were analyzed using linear mixed models (LMM), adjusting for gender, age, income, and years of study. Pairwise comparisons were conducted for additional insights. Results LMM analyses revealed significant improvements in all outcome measures over time. A group-by-time interaction was observed for loneliness, with the G4H group showing a greater decrease in loneliness compared to the SP group. Effect sizes for G4H ranged from medium to large (|d| = 0.6-1.64), particularly for loneliness. Conclusions This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that G4H effectively reduces loneliness and improves well-being among university students in Finland. The group-based, brief format makes the intervention scalable and easily adaptable to various higher education settings. While results are promising, the small sample size limits generalizability. Further research with larger samples is needed to confirm its effectiveness and inform broader public health implementation. Key messages • The G4H intervention significantly reduces loneliness and enhances mental well-being among Finnish university students, demonstrating its potential for improving student mental health. • This pilot study highlights the need for scalable, group-based interventions in higher education to address loneliness and promote connectedness, with promising outcomes for public health.