Welcome to the Meaningful Activity and Social Connection in Occupational Therapy (MASCOT) Lab at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Our lab brings together researchers, practitioners, students, community members, and community service providers who share an interest in promoting meaningful activity participation, building social connection among aging and disability communities, and expanding occupational therapy practice. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our research, team, values, current projects, and opportunities to get involved.

Our Mission

The MASCOT Lab aims to promote meaningful activity participation, social connection, well-being, and health among aging populations and to advance the science that supports occupational therapy practice in these areas. Grounded in the premise that participation in meaningful activities is a vital pathway to healthy aging, we conduct community-engaged research to understand how activities such as leisure promote social connection, well-being, and health among older adults and people aging with disabilities. Our work seeks to identify, measure, and develop activity-based strategies that support social connection and reduce loneliness and isolation.