JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Most studies on the effects of minority stresses on health in sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations use retrospective surveys. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and wearable sensor technologies enable real-time assessment of stress and immediate health effects. These methods provide a more accurate understanding of the interplay between minority stressors and bodily responses, leading to improving health for SGM populations.

Objective:

A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a methodological protocol using EMA and non-invasive wearable sensor technologies to estimate the impact of minority stress experiences on physiological responses.

Methods:

The mEMA app was used to capture EMA and sensor data. Participants (N=20) completed EMA surveys four times daily over 14 days while wearing Garmin Vivosmart4 watches measuring heart rate variability (HRV). EMA was used to measure minority stress and general stress experiences. HRV was calculated using data collected through wearable sensors.

Results:

Participants completed 89.4% (1001/1120) of EMA surveys and wore the sensor for 74.6% (SD=24%) of the expected time (240 hours). Eighty-five percent of the participants wore the sensor every day. Ninety percent of participants reported comfort with the sensor and found the mEMA app user-friendly.

Conclusions:

This study supports the feasibility and acceptability of smartphones and wearable sensors to collect EMA and sensor data to capture real-time minority stress experiences and physiological responses. Additional research is needed to confirm the usage of this protocol for observational and intervention studies to address the detrimental health impacts of minority stress in this population.