Understanding how social isolation and loneliness affect people with serious mental illness
Official title: Neurobehavioral mechanisms of social isolation and loneliness in serious mental illness
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10875521 · 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 understand their daily lives better, with the hope of finding ways to help improve their well-being.
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 | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $789,337 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH127265-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875521 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses who experience social isolation or feelings of loneliness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without serious mental illnesses or those who do not experience significant social isolation or loneliness may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural and psychological mechanisms behind social isolation and loneliness in individuals with serious mental illnesses. By utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques and smartphone-based assessments, the study aims to uncover how these experiences impact daily functioning and overall quality of life. The research will explore both the shared and distinct neural correlates of social isolation and loneliness, providing insights into their dynamic nature and individual differences in experiences. The goal is to identify potential interventions to address these critical issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions that improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from serious mental illnesses by addressing social isolation and loneliness.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neural correlates of social isolation and loneliness, suggesting that this approach may 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
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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.