Understanding how social isolation and loneliness affect mental health
Stable and dynamic neurobehavioral phenotypes of social isolation and loneliness in serious mental illness
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 ID | NIH-11012904 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who experience serious mental illnesses and related feelings of social isolation or loneliness.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have serious mental illnesses or who are not experiencing significant social isolation or loneliness may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holt, Daphne J — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Holt, Daphne J
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 below.