Promoting HIV self-testing via emotional support messages among men who have sex with men in China

• Published in: Patient education and counseling Vol. 127; p. 108360
• Main Authors: Rui, Jian Raymond, Wang, Dongya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Emotional support; HIVST; Reappraisal; Response efficacy; Self-efficacy; Socio-affective; Response efficacy; Reappraisal; Socio-affective; Self-efficacy; Emotional support; HIVST
• ISSN: 0738-3991; 1873-5134; 1873-5134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108360

Since negative emotions were identified as barriers to HIV self-testing (HIVST), offering emotional support may promote this behavior. This study examined whether the socio-affective and reappraisal components of emotional support messages differ in affecting one’s attitude towards and intention to conduct HIVST via response efficacy and self-efficacy. A between-subject online experiment was conducted with 309 Chinese men who have sex with men. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: no support, only reappraisal information, socio-affective and reappraisal information both provided. Emotional support only worked for those completing HIVST in recent three months. The reappraisal information enhanced their response efficacy and self-efficacy, but only self-efficacy was positively related to one’s attitude towards and intention to conduct HIVST. The message including socio-affective and reappraisal components directly improved their HIVST-related attitudes. Emotional support presents an approach to promoting HIVST. The socio-affective and reappraisal information function differently on their response efficacy, self-efficacy, attitude, and intention. This study provides implications on how to design messages promoting HIVST for health campaigns and AI-based healthcare technologies. Reappraisal information should be offered to enhance one’s response efficacy and self-efficacy. Messages should address both socio-affective and reappraisal needs of individuals. •Whether offering emotional support can promote HIV self-testing (HIVST) was studied.•This positive effect was limited to those completing HIVST in recent three months.•The reappraisal information enhanced response efficacy and self-efficacy.•The socio-affective component of emotional support boosted their self-efficacy.•Self-efficacy predicted positive HIVST attitude and intention.