Increasing Veterans' Social Engagement and Connectedness
This study is looking for Veterans who experience social isolation to test a program called CONNECTED. Social isolation, which affects many Veterans, can negatively impact health. The CONNECTED program aims to help by offering peer support through individual and group sessions over 8 weeks, delivered online. Another group will receive weekly social interactions with a research assistant (VET BEFRIENDING). The study wants to see if CONNECTED can improve social connections, measured by a tool called the Lubben Social Network Scale-6. To join, you must be a Veteran at the Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center or its clinics, have had a primary care visit recently, and score 12 or higher on the Lubben Social Isolation Scale. The study plans to enroll 264 participants, but its current status is unclear.
- Study design
- This is a randomized controlled trial comparing two behavioral interventions, CONNECTED and VET BEFRIENDING, with a planned enrollment of 264 participants.
- What's involved
- You would participate in either 8 weeks of individual and group sessions (CONNECTED) or weekly social interactions (VET BEFRIENDING), all delivered via videoconference or phone.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Your social network will be measured at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 months after starting the study.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Increasing Veterans' Social Engagement and Connectedness
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Johanne Eliacin, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN
Who to contact
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What this trial measures
- Lubben Social Network Scale-6Baseline, 2, 4, 8 months
The Lubben Social Network Scale-6 is a widely used, 6-item, self-reported measure of social isolation. It measures the frequency, size, and closeness of contact from respondents' social network. The scale has been used in both young and older adult populations, in racially diverse groups and in various settings and countries. Items are scored on a 6-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 0 (minimum) to 30 (maximum). Scores ≤ 12 indicate social isolation. The Lubben Social Network Scale-6 has strong internal consistency ( alpha = 0.83) and item reliability. There are no subscales.