A randomized controlled study run by Yale University scientists evaluated the effect of SKY and two other programs Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Emotional Intelligence - on undergraduate well-being as compared to a control group. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction showed no improvement compared to the control group, Emotional Intelligence showed one improvement (mindfulness) and SKY had the highest results of all the programs, benefiting stress, depression, mental health, mindfulness, positive emotion and social connectedness.

A randomized controlled study run by University of Arizona researchers, now at Harvard, evaluated the effect of SKY versus a cognitive focused intervention. SKY demonstrated improvements in perceived stress, sleep, social connectedness, distress, anxiety, depression, conscientiousness, self-esteem, and life satisfaction, while the control group did not. SKY also led to improved sleep and stress reactivity. Results were observed immediately after and 3 months after the workshop.