Improving Social Connections for Young Adults with Cancer

Optimizing a Social Connectedness Intervention for Young Adults with Cancer

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11140478

This project helps young adults with cancer feel more connected to others to improve their overall well-being.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11140478 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Young adults facing a cancer diagnosis often experience significant life disruptions that can lead to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. This project aims to develop and refine a digital program specifically designed to help young adults with cancer strengthen their social connections. The program encourages meaningful in-person social interactions, building on approaches that have worked for other young adults. We will conduct a carefully designed study to see if this tailored program can improve the mental and emotional health of young adults with cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer and are experiencing social isolation.

Not a fit: Patients who are not young adults or who do not experience social isolation may not directly benefit from this specific program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could offer a new, accessible way for young adults with cancer to reduce feelings of loneliness and improve their mental and emotional well-being.

How similar studies have performed: Similar digital programs have shown success in improving social connectedness among young adults without cancer, suggesting a promising foundation for this tailored approach.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, 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.
Conditions Cancers
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.