Training to improve social skills in people with psychosis
Official title: Understanding Social Situations (USS): Training to improve social function in people with psychosis
Funded at VA Connecticut Healthcare System · NIH-11091406 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new training program to help people with schizophrenia and similar conditions improve their social skills, making it easier for them to understand and interact with others in everyday situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Connecticut Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Haven, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2020 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003354-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091406 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic spectrum disorders who experience difficulties in social interactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have psychotic spectrum disorders or those with stable social functioning may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing social functioning in individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders by developing a specialized training program. The program aims to improve social cognitive skills, which are crucial for interpreting and responding to social situations. By utilizing methods from cognitive remediation, the training seeks to reduce cognitive load and facilitate the learning of complex social skills. Participants will engage in activities designed to enhance their ability to navigate social interactions, ultimately aiming to improve their community integration and reduce disability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the social functioning and quality of life for individuals with psychosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in improving social cognitive skills through targeted interventions, although many studies have faced methodological challenges.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fiszdon, Joanna M. — VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Fiszdon, Joanna M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Psychosis in diverse settings across the world
This project studies how psychotic disorders show up and respond to treatment in adults with diverse backgrounds, including populations in Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings.
-
Psychosis in Diverse Settings: Understanding Symptoms and Treatment Across Global South
A human-facing study will look at how psychotic disorders present and respond to treatment in adults from Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings, using genetic and clinical data.
-
A new online brain-scan-style tool to spot early psychosis risk
A new online-based set of tasks and a computer model aims to identify people at high risk for developing psychosis earlier and more accurately.
-
Genetic clues for early-onset psychosis in Latino youth
This project looks at the genes of young people with early-onset psychosis and compares them with similar youths without psychosis to find genetic factors that contribute to the illness.
-
Biomarkers to tailor rehab for Veterans with schizophrenia
A clinician-scientist is developing a brain-based biomarker to guide personalized rehabilitation for Veterans with schizophrenia.
-
Computational analysis of facial expression in early psychosis
Aims to develop computer-based measures of facial expression in people at risk for or with schizophrenia to help track symptoms and guide future trials.
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.