| Title: |
Support Community Formation on a Mobile App for People Living With HIV and Substance Use Disorder: A Computer-Mediated Discourse Analysis |
| Authors: |
Adati Tarfa; Kristen Pecanac; Olayinka Shiyanbola; Cameron Liebert; Sarah Dietz; Rebecca Miller; Ryan P Westergaard |
| Source: |
JMIR Formative Research, Vol 10, Pp e66564-e66564 (2026) |
| Publisher Information: |
JMIR Publications |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
| Subject Terms: |
Medicine |
| Description: |
BackgroundPeople living with HIV and substance use disorders (SUDs) have complex health care needs requiring adaptive and effective support systems. While mobile health apps can foster virtual communities grounded in shared lived experiences, little is known about the dynamics within these digital spaces. ObjectiveWe examined the formation of a virtual community on the Addiction Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (A-CHESS; The Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering) message board, a mobile app designed to support HIV care engagement among individuals living with HIV and SUD. MethodsWe conducted a computer-mediated discourse analysis of A-CHESS message board posts to examine communication patterns, interaction structures, and engagement dynamics. Quantitative comparisons were used to assess differences between posters and nonposters using t ResultsAmong 208 participants, 87 (42%) posted at least once on the A-CHESS message board, contributing 1834 messages between April 2019 and May 2021. Posters and nonposters did not differ significantly in age (t206Pχ1Pχ1P ConclusionsA-CHESS staff adapted communication styles to increase engagement, while participants appropriated the app’s message board to reflect personal goals and lived experiences. Mobile health interventions may benefit from design elements that support participant-led discourse and customization, fostering ownership, support, and relevance within virtual care communities. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
https://formative.jmir.org/2026/1/e66564; https://doaj.org/toc/2561-326X; https://doaj.org/article/4c95edb4a629438ea736d8df2c6cb6a6 |
| DOI: |
10.2196/66564 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.2196/66564; https://doaj.org/article/4c95edb4a629438ea736d8df2c6cb6a6 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.DF574B85 |
| Database: |
BASE |