Understanding how people perceive their social connections in villages
Official title: Characterizing Individuals' Cognitive Maps of their Village Social Networks
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11056712 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how people in rural Honduras think about their friendships and connections with others, especially focusing on how these relationships can impact their health and well-being, particularly for those over 50.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $626,558 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081814-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056712 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 50 and older who live in rural communities and have a vested interest in understanding their social connections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in rural areas or are younger than 50 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how individuals mentally map their social networks within their communities, focusing on the relationships they perceive among others. By studying a large group of participants aged 12 to 93 in rural Honduras, the research aims to understand the cognitive processes behind social connections and how these perceptions affect social, mental, and physical well-being. The methodology involves collecting data on real-life interactions and relationships, allowing researchers to analyze the complexity of social ties and their implications for individuals, especially those over 50. This work could provide insights into how social networks influence health and support systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social networks, leading to improved interventions for mental and physical health in aging populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding social networks and their impact on health, making this approach both relevant and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christakis, Nicholas a — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Christakis, Nicholas a
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.