How social relationships in adolescence affect health and aging later in life
Official title: Social Relationship Qualities as Predictors of Health & Aging from Adolescence through Mid-Adulthood
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-10879157 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the quality of friendships and conflicts during your teenage years can affect your health as you get older, helping us understand how to improve health through better social connections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $750,559 |
| NIH project number | 5R37HD058305-28 |
| Project ID | NIH-10879157 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 20 who are willing to participate in long-term follow-up assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the adolescent age range or those who have not experienced significant social relationship dynamics may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the long-term impact of social relationship qualities established during adolescence on physical health and aging processes as individuals transition into mid-adulthood. It focuses on two key aspects: the experience of hostile conflict and the absence of supportive relationships, examining how these factors influence health outcomes over time. Utilizing extensive longitudinal data collected over 25 years, the study employs repeated interviews, sociometric assessments, and direct observations to explore the connections between adolescent social experiences and midlife health. The findings aim to identify potential new avenues for public health interventions targeting social relationships.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and aging processes by highlighting the importance of social relationships during adolescence.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that social relationships significantly impact health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Joseph Patrick — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Allen, Joseph Patrick
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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.