Semantic Agency Patterns Signal Depressive Experiences: Evidence From Postpartum Communication on Social Media

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dc.abstract.enDepression-related symptoms, such as loss of motivation and diminished interest in activities, correspond to loss of agency. Given recent evidence that agency (or its lack) can be reliably detected in language, we investigated how linguistic manifestations of agency relate to depressive experiences. In two studies, we explored whether semantic agency can serve as a novel marker of depressive experiences within the context of postpartum. We analyzed data from Twitter (Study 1, N = 17,664 tweets) and Reddit (Study 2, N = 3033 posts), using three complementary approaches: machine learning-based topic detection, analysis of established linguistic markers of depression, and expert coding of depressive experiences. Across both studies, reduced semantic agency consistently emerged as a reliable indicator of depressive features. Posts discussing individuals’ depressive experiences in the postpartum period exhibited lower levels of semantic agency; semantic agency within posts was negatively correlated with established linguistic markers of depression; and semantic agency was negatively linked to depressive experiences as coded by experts. These findings highlight the potential of semantic analysis for mental health applications, suggesting that agency-based markers could enrich existing linguistic frameworks examining psychological distress. While this research is at an early stage, future validation could clarify whether such markers might enhance the sensitivity of language-based screening tools for identifying individuals in need of mental health support.
dc.affiliationCentrum Badań nad Relacjami Społecznymi
dc.affiliationInstytut Psychologii
dc.contributor.authorWitkowska, Marta
dc.contributor.authorBeneda, Marta
dc.contributor.authorFormanowicz, Magdalena
dc.contributor.authorLeszko, Magda
dc.contributor.authorArslan, Selen
dc.contributor.authorNikadon, Jan
dc.contributor.authorKowalski, Joachim
dc.contributor.authorErseghe, Tomaso
dc.contributor.authorSuitner, Caterina
dc.contributor.editorDrozdstoy Stoyanov
dc.date.access2026-02-08
dc.date.accessioned2026-02-18T09:10:23Z
dc.date.available2026-02-18T09:10:23Z
dc.date.created2025-12-23
dc.date.issued2026-02-08
dc.description.abstract<jats:p> Depression‐related symptoms, such as loss of motivation and diminished interest in activities, correspond to loss of agency. Given recent evidence that agency (or its lack) can be reliably detected in language, we investigated how linguistic manifestations of agency relate to depressive experiences. In two studies, we explored whether semantic agency can serve as a novel marker of depressive experiences within the context of postpartum. We analyzed data from Twitter (Study 1, <jats:italic>N</jats:italic>  = 17,664 tweets) and Reddit (Study 2, <jats:italic>N</jats:italic>  = 3033 posts), using three complementary approaches: machine learning‐based topic detection, analysis of established linguistic markers of depression, and expert coding of depressive experiences. Across both studies, reduced semantic agency consistently emerged as a reliable indicator of depressive features. Posts discussing individuals’ depressive experiences in the postpartum period exhibited lower levels of semantic agency; semantic agency within posts was negatively correlated with established linguistic markers of depression; and semantic agency was negatively linked to depressive experiences as coded by experts. These findings highlight the potential of semantic analysis for mental health applications, suggesting that agency‐based markers could enrich existing linguistic frameworks examining psychological distress. While this research is at an early stage, future validation could clarify whether such markers might enhance the sensitivity of language‐based screening tools for identifying individuals in need of mental health support. </jats:p>
dc.description.accesstimeat_publication
dc.description.grantnumber2021/43/B/HS6/02819
dc.description.grantnumber2020/37/B/HS6/02587
dc.description.granttitleBadanie związku między sprawczością lingwistyczną i nastrojem
dc.description.granttitleRola Językowych Markerów Sprawczości w Mobilizacji Działań Kolektywnych
dc.description.issue1
dc.description.physical1-23
dc.description.sdgGoodHealthAndWellBeing
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume2026
dc.identifier.doi10.1155/da/6485997
dc.identifier.eissn1520-6394
dc.identifier.issn1091-4269
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2188
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/da/6485997
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.rightsCC-BY
dc.rights.questionYes_rights
dc.share.articleOPEN_JOURNAL
dc.subject.enagency
dc.subject.endepression
dc.subject.enlinguistic markers
dc.subject.enpostpartum
dc.subject.ensocial media
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleSemantic Agency Patterns Signal Depressive Experiences: Evidence From Postpartum Communication on Social Media
dc.title.journalDepression and Anxiety
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle