Enhancing Digital Health Development Through Speech Act Theory: Application to Peripartum Depression Management.

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Mental Health
• Sociology

Background:

• The peripartum period presents significant challenges for new mothers, increasing the risk of peripartum depression (PPD).
• Online platforms can provide crucial social support and mental health information for PPD prevention and monitoring.
• Limited research exists on the nature of peer interactions within online PPD forums, hindering the development of effective digital interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize peer interactions in online peripartum depression (PPD) forums.
• To inform the development of digital health interventions for PPD prevention and self-management.
• To analyze user engagement and speech acts within a large dataset of online PPD forum interactions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a dataset of 55,301 interactions from online peripartum depression (PPD) forums.
• Employed manual coding for speech acts and mapped them to behavioral theories.
• Applied user engagement modeling to conceptualize dynamic digital education modules.

Main Results:

• The
• Expressive
• speech act, where users share their state of mind, was the most frequent communication type (n = 364 messages).
• The most discussed content theme was
• Physical and Mental Health
• (n = 446 messages).
• Identified key dynamics for leveraging in digital health interventions.

Conclusions:

• Online PPD forums demonstrate naturalistic dynamics that can be leveraged for digital health interventions.
• Interventions should incorporate just-in-time information, foster a sense of community, and facilitate peer support.
• Future digital health tools can be informed by the communication patterns and content themes prevalent in PPD social forums.