Turning to Sunshine
Full Title
An mHealth intervention to promote adaptive coping and medication adherence among HIV-positive Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in China: A feasibility pilot study
Background
Turning to Sunshine is a digital health intervention designed to support newly diagnosed HIV-positive Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in China. By providing accessible, CBT-based psychological interventions through WeChat, this platform aims to improve mental health, medication adherence, and overall well-being. With the assistance of trained nurses or lay providers, Turning to Sunshine also explores a task-sharing model to address mental health needs in resource-limited settings.
Approach
Due to discriminatory laws and attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ individuals in China, MSM are likely to be affected by mental health issues. To address this, Dr. Liying Wang partnered with SCMC, a Shanghai-based organization providing HIV-related services, and employed a community-based participatory approach to be culturally sensitive within this study. Participants expressed a greater need for practical strategies, such as accessing HIV treatment, rather than cognitive techniques.
To bridge this gap, Dr. Wang engaged participants in discussions about their coping mechanisms and presented cognitive strategies, assessing their perceived feasibility and relevance. By adopting a community-based approach, the project is able to comprehend the needs of the community in order to meet the mental health needs of newly diagnosed HIV-positive MSM in China.
Want to learn more? Read this article about the pilot program.
Publications
- Wang L, Simoni JM, Hua W, Chen L, Zheng H, Ning Z, Yuwen W. Navigating Turbulent Waves of Emotions: Multi-Level Stress and Coping Among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV. Glob Qual Nurs Res. 2024 Oct 21;11:23333936241292739. doi: 10.1177/23333936241292739. PMID: 39463800; PMCID: PMC11503825.
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Wang L, Yuwen W, Hua W, Chen L, Forsythe Cox V, Zheng H, Ning Z, Zhao Z, Liu Z, Jiang Y, Li X, Guo Y, Simoni JM. Enhancing Mental Health and Medication Adherence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Recently Diagnosed With HIV With a Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Informed Intervention Incorporating mHealth, Online Skills Training, and Phone Coaching: Development Study Using Human-Centered Design Approach. JMIR Form Res. 2023 Oct 13;7:e47903. doi: 10.2196/47903. PMID: 37831497; PMCID: PMC10611999.
Funding Source
University of Washington, Seattle