Dr. Jana Rozehnalova
University of Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Abstract Title: Thin slicing research: Improving mental health and well-being of university students via the Rage Fitness App
Biography: Dr Jana Rozehnalova - PhD, PgCERT, BSc (Hons), MBPsS, CSAccred. (AAC); Lecturer in Health & Social Care, School of Health and Society; PhD in Psychology with a specialism in Positive Psychology; BPS accreditation in clinical supervision.
Research Interest: This project was developed in collaboration with the Rage Fitness Wellbeing Group, a provider of fitness and well-being programmes for the local community. Their strategy is to enhance the impact of their services through a mobile app offering physical exercise routines and mindfulness content. The app uses AI to personalise content, contributing to a 97% user retention rate—far exceeding the 1–2% typical of generic well-being apps. To date Rage Fitness has observed notable well-being improvements among users, which appear to correlate with high engagement. These early observations—akin to a “thin slice” of data—suggest promising outcomes and form the basis for this thin-slicing research. Given the established links between student well-being, attendance, and academic performance—and the increasing prioritisation of student mental health in UK Higher Education—this study aims to investigate whether daily use of the Rage Fitness app can improve students’ well-being, attendance, and academic performance. Methodologies/Expected Outcomes: A mixed-methods approach employing single-blinded RCT and focus group interviews will assess the app’s effectiveness. Participants—students from the University of Greater Manchester—will use the app over eight weeks; prompts and notifications will be sent daily. Activities range from 1 minute to 1 hour 15 minutes. Every two weeks, users will complete in-app well-being questionnaires. Expected outcomes include improvements in well-being (via the app’s 7-item SWEMWBS scale and the ONS 4 questions) and positive correlations between well-being and: attendance, academic self-efficacy (GASE), and academic resilience (ARS-30) – measured pre- and post-intervention. The reward system is also expected to increase engagement. Implications/Future Research or Practice: This project may offer personal benefits to students, including improved academic outcomes, attendance, and retention. Enhanced performance may also boost employability. If successful, the intervention could be scaled to large organizations to improve employee well-being, reduce absenteeism, and enhance workplace productivity. Keywords: student well-being, course attendance, academic performance, well-being app, self-help.