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- 2026-02-08
Semantic Agency Patterns Signal Depressive Experiences: Evidence From Postpartum Communication on Social Media
Beneda, MartaLeszko, MagdaArslan, SelenKowalski, JoachimErseghe, TomasoSuitner, CaterinaDrozdstoy StoyanovDepression-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.Otwarty dostępArtykułyJournal article - 2026-01-23
Words without power: Reduced semantic (but not grammatical) agency signals low mood and self-esteem
Agentic language—words and phrases that reflect a speaker's sense of control, intention, or ability to act—has been proposed as a linguistic marker of psychological well-being. Across two preregistered studies (N = 587), we examined whether individuals experiencing lower mood or reduced self-esteem use less agentic language in written utterances. Participants completed validated measures of current and prolonged mood, depressive symptoms, and explicit and implicit self-esteem, followed by a writing task. Agentic language use was assessed through both semantic and grammatical indicators. In both studies, low mood and self-esteem emerged as strong negative predictors of semantic indicators of agency, with prolonged affect and explicit self-liking being the most consistent and robust correlates. Furthermore, semantic indicators reliably distinguished individuals who met the screening threshold for depression from those who did not, with depressed participants using significantly less agentic language. Grammatical indicators of agency, on the other hand, showed weaker and less consistent associations. These findings suggest that semantic—but not grammatical—expressions of agency may serve as subtle behavioural markers of mood and self-related evaluations. Beyond theoretical implications for psycholinguistics and clinical psychology, this work offers potential applications in scalable psychological screening tools, therapeutic language-based interventions, and self-guided mental health technologies.Otwarty dostępArtykułyJournal article - 2026-02-03
What makes an intervention dyadic? Introducing the DYADIC meta-framework to Describe Your focAl Dyadic Intervention Components
Berli, CorinaScholz, UrteAllen, James M.Di Maio, SallyHöhener, Patrick S.Knoll, NinaNakamura, Monique S.Simpson, Jeffry A.Stadler, GertraudVillinger, KarolineWilhelm, Lea O.Rothman, Alexander J.Background Engaging in health behaviors often occurs within a social context. This recognition has led to a notable growth in intervention approaches designed explicitly to involve a “close other,” often referred to as dyadic interventions. Yet, there has been surprisingly little discussion of what makes an intervention dyadic. Methods To address this gap, we developed the DYADIC meta-framework (Describe Your focAl Dyadic Intervention Components) based on iterative discussions. Results The DYADIC meta-framework delineates 4 dimensions that capture distinct ways an intervention can be dyadic: Who is there? What is done? How does it work? What is the outcome? These features can combine in distinct configurations, such that an intervention may be dyadic in only 1 dimension or across all 4. For each dimension, we propose criteria to distinguish between individual and dyadic operationalizations. The DYADIC meta-framework for dyadic interventions broadens how researchers conceptualize an intervention as dyadic, identifies meaningful ways in which dyadic interventions can differ, and facilitates testing whether different dyadic features uniquely promote behavior change. Conclusions Together, these contributions lay the foundation for generating the evidence-based guidance to optimize dyadic intervention design. The framework is designed to be applicable across diverse dyad types (eg, romantic partners, family members, adolescent friends).Otwarty dostępArtykułyJournal article - 2026-02-12
At the Speed of a Verb: Grammatical Class of Stimuli Affects Response Time in Surveys and Syntactic Classification Tasks
Verbs, as the conventional linguistic category for expressing action and motion, possess meta-semantic associations specifically with action-orientation—associations not typically found in other grammatical classes (e.g., nouns). The central aim of this research was to examine whether the proposed association between verbs and action manifests in shorter response times for verbs compared to other grammatical forms. In Studies 1a and 1b (N1a = 136, N1b = 323), we examined the impact of exposure to verbs versus nouns on overall completion time for a complex questionnaire survey. In Studies 2a and 2b (N2a = 92, N2b = 96), we employed a syntactic classification task to investigate behavioral responses to verbs and nouns, using a pseudoword paradigm in which carefully constructed lexical stimuli were devoid of semantic meaning but clearly conveyed grammatical class through suffixes. Across all four experiments, we consistently observed shorter response times for verbs and pseudoverbs compared to nouns and pseudonouns, suggesting that grammatical class exerts meta-semantic effects on behavior.Otwarty dostępArtykułyJournal article - 2026-02-15
Let's Talk About the Elephant in the Room: A Psychological Safety Climate Intervention Among Nursing Teams - A Qualitative Evaluation
Aim: To explore how a staff and managers experienced a multi-component and multi-level intervention to influence the psychological safety climate within nursing teams. Design: Qualitative, to explore the experiences of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and managers in a Swedish hospital. Methods: Four focus group discussions were conducted in March 2023 with staff and managers (n = 20). A deductive thematic analysis was conducted, guided by a theoretical model of psychological safety, to examine work climate perceptions and antecedent conditions. An inductive approach was used to explore how participants experienced the intervention. Results: Participants experienced a shift from a blame-oriented to a more psychologically safe work climate. These developments were enabled by enhanced self-awareness, more supportive interpersonal dynamics, and leaders adopting a more accessible and vulnerable role. The intervention created a safe space to reflect on team dynamics. Conclusion: Sustained efforts that integrate self-awareness, interpersonal dynamics, and managerial support are important to intentionally develop psychological safety. The creation of safe spaces can serve as a first step to confront unaddressed group beliefs. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: Interventions aimed at improving psychology safety can have positive effects if they focus on developing individual trust and vulnerability, targeting group dynamics, and including leaders. Impact: Problem addressed: Inadequate psychological safety among nursing teams, hindering effective collaboration. Main findings: By changing work conditions, the intervention led to improved perceived psychological safety. Research impact: Creating conditions for psychological safety can improve how teams function. Reporting Method: COREQ-checklist. Patient or Public Contribution: No PPI patient or public contribution.Otwarty dostępArtykułyJournal article