The relationship between Cognition and Loneliness post-stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cognitive Functioning and Loneliness: Examining the Role of Social Cognition and Working Memory in Stroke Survivors
IRAS ID
365036
Contact name
Chris Byrne
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
Around 100,000 people suffer from a stroke each year, and there are approximately 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK (Stroke Association, 2021). Stroke survivors often report a range of psychological difficulties including increased depression, anxiety, loss of identity and importantly for this research, increased loneliness (Arwert et al, 2018, Byrne et al, 2022, Kwon et al, 2021, Smith et al, 2021).
Effects of prolonged loneliness are significant and predictive of decline in mental and physical health, and an increased risk of early mortality (Matthews et al, 2022). Stroke survivors are at least 70% more likely to report loneliness than a healthy population (Byrne et al, 2022), therefore understanding the underlying mechanism influencing loneliness poststroke is essential.
The Reaffiliation Motive (RAM) model (Qualter, 2015) proposes that loneliness motivates reconnection through three processes: emotional distress, behavioural withdrawal, and cognitive vigilance toward social threats. Post-stroke cognitive dysfunction may hinder motivation, planning, and self-regulation necessary for re-establishing social contact, prolonging feelings of loneliness and reducing quality of life (Byrne et al, 2022b).
This study will investigate whether specific cognitive processes influence the experience of loneliness poststroke – namely, social cognition (the ability to understand and interpret others’ thoughts and feelings) and working memory. This research hopes to improve our understanding of factors that maintain loneliness and inform future psychological interventions to support social connection and wellbeing in this population.
Stroke survivors aged 18+, whose most recent stroke occurred at least six months ago can participate. Testing will occur in NHS brain injury and stroke services, and community or clinic settings across North-West England and North Wales.
Participation involves a 60-minute in-person session completing questionnaires and cognitive tasks (UCLA Loneliness Scale, TASIT, WAIS subtests). Particpants will be offered breaks, reimbursed for travel costs and reimbursed for their time via an incentive draw.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/PR/0148
Date of REC Opinion
20 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion