Improving social connections for young adults with cancer
Official title: Optimizing a Social Connectedness Intervention for Young Adults with Cancer
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10892280 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new online tool designed to help young adults with cancer feel more connected to others and improve their social interactions, making it easier for them to cope with the challenges of their diagnosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $644,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276176-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892280 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18-39 who have been diagnosed with cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not young adults or those without a cancer diagnosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and optimizing a digital intervention aimed at enhancing social connectedness among young adults diagnosed with cancer. It recognizes that cancer can lead to significant life disruptions and increased social isolation, which negatively impacts psychosocial health. By utilizing a simulated social media platform, the intervention encourages participants to enhance the emotional quality of their in-person social interactions. The effectiveness of this approach will be evaluated through a randomized controlled trial, collecting data on participants' daily experiences and psychosocial outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the emotional well-being and social support of young adults facing cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that social connectedness interventions can be effective in improving psychosocial health, making this approach promising yet tailored for a specific population.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lazard, Allison Joan — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Lazard, Allison Joan
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.