Dynamic Network Analysis of Mental Health Symptoms Among Persons Living With HIV

AIM: This study aims to develop dynamic networks and examine the longitudinal relationships of mental health symptoms among persons living with HIV (PLWH). DESIGN: A longitudinal study. METHODS: We collected data between October 2022 and December 2022 using Wenjuanxing (Questionnaire Star), an online survey platform. The study tracked weekly data across 10 sessions, involving 123 PLWH in Beijing, China. A total of 40 mental health symptoms with six dimensions (somatization symptoms, negative affect, cognitive processes, cognitive function, interpersonal communication and social adaptation) were included in the symptom network, which consists of temporal, contemporaneous and between-person networks. RESULTS: In the temporal network, 'feeling inferior to others' had the largest in-strength value, whereas 'suicidal ideation' exhibited the largest out-strength value. In the contemporaneous network, 'feeling inferior to others' showed the highest bridge strength, indicating it had the most connections to other mental health symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We found that 'feeling inferior to others' had the highest number of predictors, with up to seven mental health symptoms potentially triggering this particular symptom. Additionally, 'suicidal ideation' emerged as a powerful predictor, influencing the greatest number of mental health symptoms across five dimensions. IMPACT: Our study enhances the understanding of the sequential development and consequences of mental health symptoms among PLWH, which may provide an important basis for designing precise mental health symptom management interventions. REPORTING METHOD: This study was reported according to the STROBE checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.