Understanding how age affects emotional well-being through everyday conversations

Decoding Age Differences in Emotional Well-being and Positivity through Everyday Natural Conversations

NIH-funded research University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-10837108

This study is looking at how people of different ages feel emotionally in their everyday conversations, to see if older adults tend to feel happier and more positive than younger adults, and it involves recording real-life chats to understand these feelings better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States)
Project IDNIH-10837108 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how emotional well-being and positivity differ across various age groups by analyzing natural conversations in everyday settings. It aims to determine if older adults experience greater emotional well-being compared to younger adults and whether this can be observed outside of controlled environments. Participants will wear digital recording devices to capture their interactions, allowing researchers to assess real-world emotional responses and the appreciation of positive information. The study will include a diverse group of adults, spanning young, middle-aged, and older individuals.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults who are willing to engage in natural conversations while wearing a recording device.

Not a fit: Patients who are not within the age range of young to older adults or those who are unable to participate in conversations may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of emotional well-being across the lifespan, potentially leading to improved mental health strategies for different age groups.

How similar studies have performed: While there is existing research on emotional well-being across age groups, this approach of using natural conversations in everyday settings is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Storrs-Mansfield, 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.