Less well understood are the processes by which connection and isolation lead to positive or negative impacts on health, wellbeing, illness, or recovery. It is well-established that social ties can facilitate overall wellbeing, recovery from acute illness, and self-management of chronic conditions. Researchers with questions regarding these terms should inquire with IC scientific contacts. For the purposes of this FOA, 'social connectedness' encompasses both perceived and actual connections to others, as well as an individual's perception of belongingness to a social environment. The terms 'social connection' and 'social connectedness' often are used interchangeably in research.

This FOA also encourages projects that incorporate aims to promote methods and measures needed to support a cumulative and integrated approach to the study of social connectedness and isolation. Projects designed to study how changes in the quantity and/or quality of social connections influence health behaviors and outcomes are encouraged.

Studies that involve neurobiological approaches-for example, how social or isolated settings influence neurobiological systems, brain function, and/or behavior are welcome.

Research areas of interest include understanding differences and similarities between objective social isolation and loneliness, how complex biopsychosocial processes are regulated in the body, what occurs in response to dysregulation, and antecedent processes that influence responses to the trajectories of social relationships. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) invites research projects that seek to explain the underlying mechanisms, processes, and trajectories of social relationships and how these factors affect outcomes in health, illness, recovery, and overall wellbeing.

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