LP Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Loneliness in people with psychosis
IRAS ID
345588
Contact name
Brynmor Lloyd-Evans
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2024/07/152 health research , UCL Data Protection registration number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 4 days
Research summary
Loneliness is a subjective, unpleasant experience due to a lack of desired quantity and quality of relationships with others. There is a higher prevalence of loneliness in people with psychosis compared to the general populations, which may have important clinical implications, as loneliness is widely associated symptom severity in psychosis, and with negative health outcomes in general population, including increased morbidity, increased suicidality, elevated blood pressure level, compromised immune system, and decreased life satisfaction. The associated factors contributing to loneliness in psychosis are therefore of high interest.
This study aims to explore the relationship between loneliness and psychosis. We try to answer the question who is more likely to feel lonely in people with psychosis. We want to understand how loneliness and psychosis are related, including how loneliness might be influenced by symptoms, social media use, ways of thinking, and social circumstances.
This study is a cross-sectional observational study, which will involve up to 200 participants diagnosed with psychosis recruited from at least two NHS trust areas, including direct recruitment from NHS services, and from local voluntary sector mental health organisations and service user groups. Potential participants will be given information about the study and opportunities to ask questions. Having given written, informed consent, participants will complete demographic information and a set of self-report questionnaires measuring factors with which we will describe and model loneliness in psychosis. We will also confirm participants' diagnosis through NHS patient records where possible and where they give consent for this.
The model could help us identify patterns and figure out who is most likely to feel lonely when they have psychosis. Additionally, it may guide the development of ways to help with loneliness for people with psychosis.REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0308
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion