Feasibility of ecological momentary assessment to study mood and risk behavior among young people who inject drugs

Dr. Mary E. Mackesy-Amiti’s study tests the acceptability and feasibility of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of mood and injection risk behavior among young people who inject drugs (PWID), using mobile phones. 

Participants used the mEMA System to respond to momentary surveys on mood, substance use, and injection risk behavior for 15 days. Participants were assigned to receive surveys four, five, or six times per day.

This study demonstrated height acceptability and feasibility of EMA among PWID with up to six survey prompts per day. EMA of mood and injection behavior is feasible. EA is a promising approach to the study of mood and injection risk behavior.

Mary E. Mackesy-Amiti, PhD

Research Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago