Linguistic dimensions of psychopathology: a quantitative analysis
Abstract
The present study examined differences in natural word use between psychiatric outpatients and nonclinical controls. The Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) was used to determine its utility for the study of linguistic features of psychopathology. 27 patients and 17 community volunteers engaged in a standardized writing assignment. Computerized word count was used to identify linguistic differences between the two groups. Psychiatric patients used fewer words pertaining to optimism/energy, basic cognitive mechanisms, exclusion, and bodily functions compared to the controls. They also tended to use fewer references to the future and communication. No differences were found on pronoun use, and sensation/perception. The LIWC captured features of natural word use that are of conceptual as well as empirical relevance for personality and psychopathology research.
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First-person singular pronoun use has emerged as a predictor of general psychopathology in prior research.
“Finally, the use of first-person singular pronouns (“I,” “me.” “my”), a proposed measure of self-immersed processing (24, 25) has emerged as a predictor of depression (9, 26, 27) and general psychopathology (28) in prior research.”
From Early Linguistic Markers of Trauma-Specific Processing Predict Post-trauma Adjustment (2018) · cites this paper as [28]
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References 26 · Cited by 74
- Authors
- Junghaenel, D. U., Smyth, J. M., & Santner, L.
- Affiliations
- Stony Brook University (US)
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- Syracuse University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
- Publisher
- Guilford Publications
- Published
- 2008-01
- Volume
- 27
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 36-55
- ISSN
- 0736-7236 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2074835479
- Cited by
- 74
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 4.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- psychopathology, LIWC, natural language use, psychiatric outpatients, personality, word usage, optimism, future orientation, communication, pronoun usage
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