A Qualitative Study of Ecological Momentary Assessment of Suicide Risk for Persons Living With HIV in Philadelphia, PA, USA: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Ethical Implications

Persons with HIV are at significantly higher risk for suicide, but little is known about optimal strategies for assessing their risk in real time. Persons with HIV ( N = 10) with past month suicidal ideation completed ecological momentary assessment of suicidal ideation for 28 days. Participants indicated that the assessments increased mindfulness, insight, and motivation to change behavior. Some participants expressed fears that frequent assessment could increase risk in other people; however, no participants endorsed experiencing an increase in suicidal thoughts because of the assessment. Participants identified fear of hospitalization and stigma as factors that contributed to discomfort and inaccurate reporting in assessment. These results provide new insight about ecological momentary assessments to increase awareness of risk factors for suicide among participants with HIV. Participants also reported fears about hospitalization and stigma that contributed to underreporting. Future research should explore options to mitigate unrealistic fears to increase their comfort.