Exploring how social connections affect the mental health of young adults
Official title: Social factors in the mental health of young adults: Bridging psychological and network analysis
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11054694 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $414,137 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH125974-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054694 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults, particularly college students, who are experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not young adults or those who do not have access to college environments may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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 University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zaki, Jamil — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Zaki, Jamil
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.