News and events
Here you can find news items and events related to the 'What’s BOThering You?' project.
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Student Counsellors’ Perspectives on a Student Mental Well-being Chatbot: Exploring Needs, Preferences, and Design Requirements at the CONVERSATIONS conference 12 November 2025 Valentina Bartali presented her first study at the CONVERSATIONS conference, exploring how student counsellors view the design and goals of a mental well-being chatbot. The study highlights the need for escalation to external support, customization, transparency, and clarity on the chatbot’s therapeutic approach. Counsellors also expressed interest in using the chatbot for practical tasks and blended therapy, sparking a discussion on whether the tool should prioritize students or counsellors. |
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Publication: A Temporal Causal Network Model of Student Mental Well-being 31 October 2025 In our new paper 'A Temporal Causal Network Model of Student Mental Well-being', we introduce a temporal causal network model that illustrates how various factors influence students' mental well-being over time. Using simulations, we explore how different interventions can manipulate these factors and interact to improve overall well-being. Additionally, we discuss opportunities for future research and the design of interventions. |
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European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI) conference 28 August 2025 This summer, Janne Bosma presented two studies at the EARLI conference in Graz. She explained findings from the systematic scoping review, revealing that hedonic (emotional) and eudaimonic (psychological and social) well-being dimensions are measured among students in ecological momentary assessment studies, and how this information was used in second study. Here, we apply a dynamic network approach, viewing well-being dimensions as interconnected and fluctuating daily. It may reveal where it is necessary to intervene. |
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Preprint study 2: Conceptualization and measurement of students’ momentary mental well-being states: A systematic scoping review 19 June 2025 The preprint of the systematic scoping review is available. While this article is still waiting for a peer review, it already shows important findings regarding conceptualization and measurement of the mental well-being of students in higher education in ecological momentary assessment studies. Differences in hedonic (emotional) and eudaimonic (psychological and social) well-being are discussed. |
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Supporting Health by Technology Conference 10 June 2025 Valentina Bartali presented the results of the interview study conducted with student counsellors, regarding students’ needs and preferences for the mental well-being chatbot. Student counsellors seem to have a different perspective than students. They think that the chatbot could be used as blended therapy during and outside their sessions with students, and it can mostly help with practical support, like study planning. Moreover, they are skeptical about the support it can provide, but also expect that the younger generation are more likely to use tools like a chatbot. |
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Boek chapter: Chatbots for Mental Health: A Network-Oriented Modeling Perspective 28 March 2025 In the chapter 'Chatbots for Mental Health: A Network-Oriented Modeling Perspective', we present a new approach that uses network-oriented models to help chatbots analyze a user’s mental state. By framing mental health as a dynamic network of interacting symptoms, chatbots can predict user states and assess potential interventions. This method aims to improve the responsiveness, personalization, and effectiveness of mental health chatbots, contributing to the development of smarter, more empathetic digital tools. |
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Association for Researchers in Psychology and Health 27 March 2025 Symposium presentation where Valentina Bartali presented the whole project and our approach towards mental well-being of students. During the symposium, some key points stood out: student mental well-being is a complex construct with many dimensions, student mental well-being fluctuates over time, and each student may have different needs. |
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24 hours of Communication Science 4 February 2025 Valentina Bartali presented the results of her first interview study with the students. In this study she investigated the needs and preferences students have for the mental well-being chatbot, like the features the chatbot should have and the expectations students have of the chatbot. With the results of this study, a list of requirements is made to create the first prototype of the chatbot. |
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Preregistration of study 3: What’s BOThering You? Student mental well-being networks in daily life |
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European Conference on Positive Psychology |
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Preregistration of study 7: Needs and Requirements for a chatbot supporting student mental well-being 1 July 2024 Valentina Bartali, PhD of the second WP, started her first study and published the preregistration on the Open Science Framework. She aims to understand students’ needs and requirements for a chatbot for student mental well-being. This study will be done by interviewing students and student counsellors to get enough perspectives on the subject. |
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Preregistration of study 2: Conceptualisation and quantification of students’ mental well-being states: A systematic review 14 November 2023 The preregistration of the systematic review is online. In this study we will collect information about how the well-being of students in higher education in ecological momentary assessment studies has been assessed up until now. Specifically, the focus is on how well-being is conceptualised and which instruments have been used. |
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Annual Belgian-Dutch Experience Sampling Method Expert Network Meeting, Groningen |
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Project: Personalised chatbots to support the well-being of students 14 December 2022 The 'What’s BOThering You?' project aims to increase understanding of the factors that play a role in the well-being of students, using artificial intelligence. With this knowledge chatbots can be developed that provide personalised advice to students. ZonMw supports this project, in which the Open Universiteit collaborates with the universities of Tilburg, Nijmegen and Antwerp. |
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