A content analysis of depression-related tweets. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A.; Krauss, Melissa J.; Sowles, Shaina; Connolly, Sarah; Rosas, Carlos; Bharadwaj, Meghana; Bierut, Laura J.
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 54(2016)
• Page Start: 351
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Social media -- Depression; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2015.08.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines depression-related chatter on Twitter to glean insight into social networking about mental health. We assessed themes of a random sample (n = 2000) of depression-related tweets (sent 4–11 to 5-4-14). Tweets were coded for expression of DSM-5 symptoms for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Supportive or helpful tweets about depression was the most common theme (n = 787, 40%), closely followed by disclosing feelings of depression (n = 625; 32%). Two-thirds of tweets revealed one or more symptoms for the diagnosis of MDD and/or communicated thoughts or ideas that were consistent with struggles with depression after accounting for tweets that mentioned depression trivially. Health professionals can use our findings to tailor and target prevention and awareness messages to those Twitter users in need. Highlights: Many posts about depression on Twitter are supportive/helpful tweets. Twitter users also commonly disclose feelings of depression in their tweets. Tweets reveal symptoms consistent with the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. Research is needed on how tweets relate to self-reported depression.