Understanding Social Isolation and Loneliness in Serious Mental Illness

This study is looking into how social isolation and loneliness affect people with serious mental illnesses like psychosis (a condition that affects how your brain processes information) and schizophrenia. Researchers want to understand the brain and behavior (neurobehavioral mechanisms) behind these feelings. You might be able to join if you are 18-55 years old and have experienced a psychotic disorder or mood disorder. You cannot join if you have certain neurological conditions, a recent substance use disorder, or a recent change in medication. The study will use surveys on a smartphone app (EMA) to learn about your feelings and social habits. Success will be measured by understanding changes in social isolation and loneliness, and how these affect daily functioning over 6 months. The study plans to enroll 120 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 120 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
Participants will complete surveys about their feelings and social habits through a smartphone app (EMA). These surveys will be conducted over 6 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 6 months to measure social isolation, loneliness, and psychosocial functioning.

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NCT04940663

Neurobehavioral Mechanisms of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Serious Mental Illness

Recruiting
NAAges 18–55InterventionalBasic science
Massachusetts General Hospital
~120 participants
Updated 2026-07-16 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:EMA

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Trait level social isolation and loneliness
Measured over 6 months
+3 more outcomes measured
Psychosis
Schizophrenia
1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1
  • Daphne J Holt, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Massachusetts General Hospital

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  • Trait level social isolation and loneliness6 months

    UCLA Loneliness Scale(20 and 4 item), Social Network Index, Social Anhedonia Scale, Penn facial affect recognition Task, Social Disconnectedness Scale, Social Provisions Scale

  • Characterize within-person, dynamic changes in objective isolation and loneliness6 months

    EMA questions derived from the UCLA Loneliness Scales, perceived discrimination scale

  • Psychosocial functioning6 months

    Quality of Life Scale, Cornblatt Global Functioning - Social and Role Scales

  • Physical health and cardiometabolic/immunological panel6 months

    Height, weight, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood oxygen level, heart rate, interleukin-6, TNF-alpha, Complete metabolic panel, lipid panel, C-reactive protein, Cortisol, CBC, HbA1c