People experiencing symptoms of depression are less likely to present themselves as active initiators of their own actions — and this is reflected directly in the way they speak and write. An analysis of sentence construction may therefore serve as an early warning signal, according to an international study on postpartum depression initiated by psychologists from SWPS University.
A new study focused on semantic agency, meaning the use of language that reflects a sense of influence and control. People with a strong sense of agency tend to write about “achieving goals” or “planning,” while those with lower agency often use more passive language.
Researchers analysed more than 17,600 posts from Twitter, now X, and over 3,000 posts from Reddit, using machine learning and expert assessment. The study focused on women after childbirth, a group particularly vulnerable to low mood and postpartum depression.
Each post was assessed by the BERTAgent algorithm on a scale from -100 to 100. For example, the sentence “I had an overwhelming feeling of sinking deeper and deeper” received a strongly negative score, while a post about running the first kilometre after childbirth was classified as showing high agency.
In both studies, less agentic language proved to be a reliable indicator of depressive symptoms. The analysis showed that posts describing painful postpartum experiences were often saturated with passive language. According to the researchers, people with depressive symptoms are less likely to place themselves in the role of active authors of their actions.
The authors argue that language analysis could become a promising tool for monitoring mental health, especially as digital communication becomes one of the dominant forms of social interaction. Intelligent systems could one day discreetly monitor people at risk and suggest professional support when needed.
The researchers stress, however, that further clinical studies are necessary before such tools can be used in practice. Future research should verify whether analysing language in terms of agency can reliably distinguish people with clinical depression from healthy individuals or those experiencing temporary stress.
The article, “Semantic Agency Patterns Signal Depressive Experiences: Evidence From Postpartum Communication on Social Media,” was prepared by researchers from SWPS University, the Polish Academy of Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, the University of Padua and New York University Abu Dhabi.
