Understanding loneliness in older adults with schizophrenia
Official title: Loneliness in Aging with Schizophrenia
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10868738 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feeling lonely affects older adults with schizophrenia and their overall health and happiness, and it includes both those with schizophrenia and others their age without mental health issues to see how their experiences compare.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $667,956 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH120201-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10868738 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are middle-aged and older adults aged 65 and above who have a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or do not have a diagnosis of schizophrenia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of loneliness on older adults with schizophrenia, focusing on how it affects their health, cognition, and overall well-being. The study will involve 120 participants with schizophrenia and 90 age-matched individuals without psychiatric conditions, assessing their experiences of loneliness over time. Through in-person visits and evaluations, researchers aim to uncover the long-term effects of loneliness and its relationship with aging and schizophrenia. The findings could help identify ways to improve the quality of life for these individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that reduce loneliness and improve health outcomes for older adults with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that addressing loneliness can significantly improve health outcomes in various populations, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palmer, Barton W. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Palmer, Barton W.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How social isolation affects aging health in schizophrenia
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How Social Isolation Impacts Aging in People with Schizophrenia
This study looks at how social isolation affects aging and health in people with schizophrenia to see if loneliness and lack of social contact worsen medical problems as they grow older.
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How social isolation affects aging health in schizophrenia
A patient-friendly look at how being socially isolated might influence aging and health in people with schizophrenia.
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The effect of social isolation on aging health in people with schizophrenia
This study explores how being socially isolated may speed up aging-related health problems in people with schizophrenia.
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New daily loneliness indicators and aging outcomes
Researchers are studying how day-to-day loneliness affects aging and health in adults, to uncover how loneliness might speed up biological aging and functional decline.
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How social isolation affects aging health in schizophrenia
This research looks at how being isolated socially might influence health and aging in people with schizophrenia.
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.