A Proof of Concept Pilot Examining Feasibility and Acceptability of the Positively Healthy Just-in-Time Adaptive, Ecological Momentary, Intervention Among a Sample of Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV

Studies show positive affect buffers against stress for people living with HIV, however, limited research has examined its potential health benefits for sexual minority men living with HIV (SMM-LHIV). In our proof-of-concept pilot, we adapted a Positive Affect intervention for mobile app delivery. The Positively Healthy app was designed as an ecological momentary intervention using a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) delivery format. Participants were 22 SMM-LHIV ( M age = 37.82; SD = 10.52), who completed a 90-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA). JITAI activities were triggered based on reported stress in the EMA survey. Participants completed a post-intervention assessment assessing usability, feasibility, and acceptability. On average, participants reported stress in 58.21% of the EMAs and responded to 82.1% of the intervention activities. Qualitative interview data indicated that app-based delivery was acceptable and feasible. Participant feedback also revealed our intervention would benefit from further adaptation to enhance system usability and tailored content to optimize acceptability for SMM-LWH.