Understanding how social isolation and loneliness affect mental health
Official title: Stable and dynamic neurobehavioral phenotypes of social isolation and loneliness in serious mental illness
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11012904 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feeling lonely and isolated affects people with serious mental illnesses, using brain scans and smartphone check-ins to learn more about how these feelings impact their daily lives and overall health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $225,513 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH125426-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012904 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who experience serious mental illnesses and related feelings of social isolation or loneliness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have serious mental illnesses or who are not experiencing significant social isolation or loneliness may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of social isolation and loneliness on individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI). It aims to uncover the neural and psychological mechanisms that contribute to these experiences and their impact on health outcomes. By utilizing advanced neuroimaging and smartphone-based assessments, the study will explore both the stable and dynamic aspects of social disconnection. The goal is to better understand how these factors influence day-to-day functioning and overall well-being in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions that help reduce social isolation and loneliness in patients with serious mental illnesses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the neural correlates of social isolation and loneliness, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holt, Daphne J — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Holt, Daphne J
Related research
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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.