Cited by 28Digital Mental Health InterventionsSuicide and Self-Harm StudiesMobile Health and mHealth Applications

Mechanisms and Effects of a WeChat-Based Intervention on Suicide Among People Living With HIV and Depression: Path Model Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

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Li, Yiran, Guo, Yan, Hong, Y Alicia, Zhu, Mengting, Zeng, Chengbo, Qiao, Jiaying, Xu, Zhimeng, Zhang, Hanxi +4 more·2019·Journal of Medical Internet Research

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Abstract

Background: People living with HIV and depression have high rates of suicide. Studies of mobile health (mHealth) interventions have shown feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy in improving mental health in people living with HIV and depression. However, few studies have examined the mechanisms and effects of mHealth interventions on suicide. Objective: This study was designed to examine the mechanisms and effects of a WeChat-based intervention, Run4Love, on suicide among people living with HIV and depression in China, while considering perceived stress and depressive symptoms as mediators. Methods: A sample of 300 People living with HIV and depression was recruited from the outpatient clinic of a large HIV or AIDS treatment hospital and was randomized to the Run4Love group or a control group. Data were collected at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups. Path analysis modeling, with longitudinal data, was used in data analyses. Results: The Run4Love mHealth intervention had a direct effect on reducing suicide rate at the 6-month follow-up (beta=−.18, P=.02) and indirect effect through reducing perceived stress and depressive symptoms at the 3-month follow-up (beta=−.09, P=.001). A partial mediating effect between perceived stress and depressive symptoms accounted for 33% (–0.09/–0.27) of the total effect. Conclusions: Through path analyses, we understood the mechanisms and effects of an mHealth intervention on suicide prevention. The findings underscored the importance of stress reduction and depression treatment in such a program. We call for more effective suicide prevention, especially mHealth interventions targeting the vulnerable population of people living with HIV and depression. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-17012606; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=21019

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  1. [23]Antoni M Ironson G Schneiderman N Cognitive-behavioral Stress Management For Individuals Living With HIV (Treatments That Work) 2007 Oxford Oxford University Press
  2. [49]World Health Organization Consolidated Guidelines On The Use Of Antiretroviral Drugs For Treating And Preventing HIV Infection: Recommendations For A Public Health Approach 2016 Geneva WHO press 27466667

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Authors
Li, Y., Guo, Y., Hong, Y. A., Zhu, M., Zeng, C., Qiao, J., Xu, Z., Zhang, H., Zeng, Y., Cai, W., Li, L., & Liu, C.
Affiliations
  • Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
  • George Mason University (US)
  • University of South Carolina (US)
  • Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CN)
  • Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital (CN)
Corresponding author
Guo, Yan
Venue
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Published
2019-11-27
Volume
21
Issue
11
Pages
e14729
ISSN
1438-8871 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2970982187
Cited by
28
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2018: 1
FWCI
3.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Journal of Medical Internet Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
Keywords
suicide prevention, people living with HIV, depression, mobile health intervention, WeChat, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, mediation, HIV-associated depression
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Suicide, HIV Infections, Telemedicine, Young Adult

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