Insights into adolescent well-being from computerised analysis of written language
Date
2021
Authors
Shearer, N.J.
Gillespie, A.N.
Olds, T.
Mensah, F.K.
Edwards, B.
Fernando, J.W.
Wang, Y.
Wake, M.
Lycett, K.
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Journal article
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Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics, 2021; 110(6):1880-1889
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Abstract
Aim: To examine associations between patterns of language use and early adolescent well-being.
Methods: Participants were 1763 Australian 11- to 12-year-olds in the Child Health CheckPoint. Six patterns of language use were identified from a writing activity using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count and factor analysis: Acting in the present and future, Positive emotion, Gender and relationships, Self-aware, Inquisitive and time focused, and Confident. Well-being measures represented a spectrum from negatively to positively framed psychosocial health. Associations between language use and well-being were estimated using linear regression adjusted for age, sex and social disadvantage.
Results: Positive emotion (high emotional tone, positive emotion) was associated with better general well-being (standardised regression coefficient (SRC) 0.05; 95% confidence interval 0.00 to 0.11; p = 0.04), life satisfaction (0.06; 0.01 to 0.11; p = 0.03), psychosocial health (0.07; 0.02 to 0.12; p = 0.01) and quality of life (QoL) (0.06; 0.01 to 0.11; p = 0.02). Similarly, Self-aware (high first person singular pronouns, authentic, low clout) was associated with better general well-being, life satisfaction and psychosocial health (SRC 0.05, 0.09, 0.08), but Confident (high clout, first person plural pronouns, affiliation) was associated with worse life satisfaction, psychosocial health and QoL (SRC −0.06, −0.09, −0.06).
Conclusion: If replicated in ‘real-world’ settings (e.g., social media), language patterns could provide naturalistic insights into early adolescents’ well-being.
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Data source: , https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15813
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Copyright 2021 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing