How social stress affects health and the role of support networks

Allostatic load, Response to discrimination stress, Discrimination Exposure frequency, and social Network structure and function (ARDEN)

NIH-funded research University of Nebraska Lincoln · NIH-10746857

This study looks at how everyday stress and tough situations, like violence, affect our health and how having supportive friends and family can help lessen those negative effects, so if you deal with chronic stress, your experiences could really help us understand how to improve health for everyone.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Nebraska Lincoln NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lincoln, United States)
Project IDNIH-10746857 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of social stress on health, particularly how daily stressful interactions and severe stressors like violence contribute to allostatic load, which is the cumulative wear and tear on the body from stress. It explores how social support networks can help mitigate these negative health effects by reducing the spread of stress among individuals. By examining both individual and network-level responses to stress, the study aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better health outcomes for those affected by chronic stress. Participants may engage in assessments that measure their experiences with stress and their social support systems.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing high levels of social stress or those who are part of social networks where stress is prevalent.

Not a fit: Patients who do not experience significant social stress or who are not engaged in social networks may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for managing stress and reducing the risk of chronic diseases related to allostatic load.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that social support can positively influence health outcomes, but this study aims to explore new mechanisms that have not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Lincoln, 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 2026-06-13 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.