How helping others improves well-being in older adults
Exploring the Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Effects of Generativity on Well-Being
This project looks at how caring for others, especially younger generations, can make older adults feel better and improve their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136364 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are inviting older adults to join a 6-week program where they will write about helping others. Before and after the program, we will ask participants about their social, mental, and physical well-being. We will also take blood samples to check for inflammation and use brain imaging to see how the brain's caregiving system might be involved. This helps us understand if helping others can truly boost health and happiness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults interested in understanding how their concern for others might relate to their own health and happiness.
Not a fit: Patients not interested in participating in a writing-based intervention or undergoing blood draws and neuroimaging may not receive direct benefit from this specific opportunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to improve the health and well-being of older adults through simple activities like caring for others.
How similar studies have performed: While generativity is linked to better health, the specific brain and biological mechanisms behind these benefits have not been previously explored in this way.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eisenberger, Naomi Ilana — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Eisenberger, Naomi Ilana
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 below.