Improving social connections to reduce loneliness in young adults facing health disparities
Official title: Ameliorating Social Isolation in Populations Facing Health Disparities: Identifying Social Structural and Person-level Factors that Impede or Facilitate Health-related Social Behavior Change
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10980542 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for ways to help young adults, especially from Black and Latino communities, feel less lonely and more connected by trying out fun activities on a social media platform that encourage them to meet up in person.
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 | May 9, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $619,831 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD018492-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980542 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults, particularly those from Black and Latino backgrounds, who are experiencing social isolation or loneliness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not young adults or those who do not experience social isolation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance social connections among young adults, particularly those from Black and Latino communities, who experience higher rates of social isolation and loneliness. The study will utilize a randomized controlled trial called the Keep Social RCT, which will test health communication strategies on a simulated social media platform to encourage in-person interactions. By understanding the factors that facilitate or hinder social behavior change, the research aims to provide insights into effective interventions for improving mental and physical health outcomes. Participants will engage in activities designed to foster social engagement and will be monitored for changes in loneliness and social behavior over a six-week period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective strategies for reducing loneliness and improving overall health among young adults in marginalized communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that interventions aimed at enhancing social connections can be effective, but this specific approach using a simulated social media platform is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fredrickson, Barbara Lee — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Fredrickson, Barbara Lee
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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.