Linguistic markers for major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional study using an automated procedure

Raluca Nicoleta Trifu; Bogdan Nemeș; Dana Cristina Herta; Carolina Bodea-Hategan; Dorina Anca Talaș; Horia Coman

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1355734

Linguistic markers for major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional study using an automated procedure

Front Psychol. 2024 Mar 6:15:1355734. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1355734. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Raluca Nicoleta Trifu¹, Bogdan Nemeș¹, Dana Cristina Herta¹, Carolina Bodea-Hategan², Dorina Anca Talaș², Horia Coman¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosciences, Discipline of Medical Psychology and Psychiatry, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
² Special Education Department, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Abstract

Introduction: The identification of language markers, referring to both form and content, for common mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD), can facilitate the development of innovative tools for early recognition and prevention. However, studies in this direction are only at the beginning and are difficult to implement due to linguistic variability and the influence of cultural contexts.

Aim: This study aims to identify language markers specific to MDD through an automated analysis process based on RO-2015 LIWC (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count).

Materials and methods: A sample of 62 medicated patients with MDD and a sample of 43 controls were assessed. Each participant provided language samples that described something that was pleasant for them.

Assessment tools: (1) Screening tests for MDD (MADRS and DASS-21); (2) Ro-LIWC2015 - Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count - a computerized text analysis software, validated for Romanian Language, that analyzes morphology, syntax and semantics of word use.

Results: Depressive patients use different approaches in sentence structure, and communicate in short sentences. This requires multiple use of the punctuation mark period, which implicitly requires directive communication, limited in exchange of ideas. Also, participants from the sample with depression mostly use impersonal pronouns, first person pronoun in plural form - not singular, a limited number of prepositions and an increased number of conjunctions, auxiliary verbs, negations, verbs in the past tense, and much less in the present tense, increased use of words expressing negative affects, anxiety, with limited use of words indicating positive affects. The favorite topics of interest of patients with depression are leisure, time and money.

Conclusion: Depressive patients use a significantly different language pattern than people without mood or behavioral disorders, both in form and content. These differences are sometimes associated with years of education and sex, and might also be explained by cultural differences.

Keywords: LIWC; automated analysis procedure; cultural differences; linguistic markers; major depressive disorder.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was funded by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu Cluj Napoca. The Publication fee was supported by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu and partially by Logosprim CSEL. This article is published under the project supported with the Internal Grant of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu Cluj Napoca, Contract no 35169/17.12.2021.