Abstract
AbstractIn this paper we investigate whether the semantic development of text in free discursive writing distinguishes currently depressed, formerly depressed, and never depressed writers. Theoretically motivated linguistic categories of elaboration (restating, exemplifying), extension (adding, contrasting), and enhancement (qualifying with specific details) were used to code the semantic transitions in essays of 25 currently depressed, 24 formerly depressed, and 28 never depressed individuals diagnosed by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI, current symptoms of depression) and the Inventory to Diagnose Depression (IDD-L, lifetime depression). The currently depressed used more elaboration and extension and less enhancement. The severity of both current and lifetime depression is correlated positively with elaboration and extension and negatively with enhancement. The difficulty in concentrating and the self-focus in depression are associated with more elaborations, more extensions, and fewer enhancements. Writers with depression add less “color” that enriches their texts with details. Both mood state and cognitive processing are tracked in written language.
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