Exploring how social connections affect the mental health of young adults

Social factors in the mental health of young adults: Bridging psychological and network analysis

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-11054694

This study is looking at how friendships and social support affect the mental health of college students over time, to find ways to help them feel better and cope with challenges.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11054694 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of social factors on the long-term mental health of young adults, particularly focusing on college students. It aims to understand how social connectedness, emotional regulation through social interactions, and supportive relationships contribute to mental well-being. By utilizing methods from social psychology, network analysis, and neuroscience, the study will track these influences over time to identify key resilience factors. The findings could help develop strategies to enhance mental health support for young adults.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young adults, particularly college students, who are experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression.

Not a fit: Patients who are not young adults or those who do not have access to college environments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health outcomes for young adults by identifying effective social support strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that social connectedness significantly impacts mental health, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Affective Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.