Exploring how social disconnection develops in young people

Understanding the Development of Social Disconnection in Youth

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-11083765

This study is looking at how stress affects social interactions in teenagers aged 11-16, to see why some feel lonely and withdraw from others while others connect more, helping us understand how to support young people during tough times.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11083765 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the rise of social disconnection and loneliness during adolescence, which can negatively affect both physical and mental health. It aims to understand how biological stress responses influence whether adolescents withdraw from social situations or engage positively with others. By recruiting 280 adolescents aged 11-16, the study will assess their reactions to social stressors and evaluate their biological and behavioral responses. This approach seeks to uncover the factors that lead to different social behaviors in response to stress.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are adolescents aged 11 to 16 who may be experiencing social disconnection or loneliness.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 11 to 16 years or those not experiencing social disconnection may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better interventions for improving social connections and mental health in adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding social behaviors in response to stress can lead to effective interventions, making this approach promising.

Where this research is happening

Davis, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.