Feasibility and acceptability of using experience sampling method to assess daily grief reactions in Viet Nam

The Experience Sampling Method (ESM) delivered via smartphone applications offers a scalable approach to monitoring mental health in daily life. However, its feasibility and acceptability in low- and middle-income countries remain largely unexplored. This study provides the first evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of app-based grief monitoring among bereaved adults in Viet Nam.

Ninety-six bereaved adults completed a two-week ESM protocol involving five daily prompts assessing momentary grief experiences and contextual factors. Feasibility was evaluated through compliance rates, while acceptability was assessed using participants' ratings of perceived personal benefit, emotional reactivity, and perceived need for professional support after completing two weeks of ESM.

The overall compliance rate was 73%, indicating good feasibility. Participants reported neutral to mildly positive perceptions of personal benefit and mildly negative to neutral levels of emotional reactivity. On average, participants did not endorse a need for professional help resulting from study participation. Neither sociodemographic characteristics nor baseline grief scores were associated with compliance. Higher baseline grief intensity was significantly associated with greater perceived need for professional help, lower emotional reactivity, and lower overall acceptability.

App-based ESM is a feasible and generally acceptable method for monitoring daily grief experiences among bereaved adults in Viet Nam. Further research is needed to optimize digital grief assessment and support the broader implementation of ESM in low- and middle-income settings.