Linguistic analysis of Latinx patients’ responses to a text messaging adjunct during cognitive behavioral therapy for depression

• Published in: Behaviour research and therapy 2022-03, Vol.150, p.104027-104027, Article 104027
• Main Authors: Hernandez-Ramos, Rosa, Altszyler, Edgar, Figueroa, Caroline A., Avila-Garcia, Patricia, Aguilera, Adrian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activation; Behavior modification; CBT; Change agents; Cognitive ability; Cognitive behavioral therapy; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - methods; Cognitive therapy; Cognitive-behavioral factors; Depression; Depression - psychology; Depression - therapy; Ecological momentary assessment; Ecological momentary assessments; Emotional words; Emotions; Friendship; Humans; Latinxs; Leisure; Linguistics; Mental depression; Mood; Negative emotions; Patients; Positive emotions; Religion; Sociocultural factors; Text Messaging
• ISSN: 0005-7967; 1873-622X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2021.104027

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious to treat depression, however more research is needed to understand its functions among Latinxs. This study analyzed qualitative responses that were paired with a mood rating (1–9 scale) from daily ecological momentary assessments via text-messaging of 52 low-income, Spanish-speaking patients to assess the relationship between word use and changes in mood during group CBT. Based on previous research, we chose 11 linguistic dimensions from the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count text analysis software that conceptually related to core CBT treatment elements and sociocultural factors of depression in Latinxs. Results showed that the use of words from the categories of Friends, Religion, Positive Emotions, and Leisure (proxy for behavioral activation) were significantly associated with a significant increase in mood. The use of Negative Emotions and Health words were significantly associated with a significant decrease in mood. Post-hoc analysis revealed that Certainty (proxy for cognitive inflexibility) words were related to a significant decrease in mood when Negative Emotional words were present. Findings contribute to our understanding of the role of sociocultural factors and core CBT elements in changes in mood among Latinxs. Lastly, this paper demonstrates the potential for analyzing language content during a digital health intervention to better understand user experiences. •We examined sociocultural and CBT treatment elements in relation to changes in mood.•52 patients received daily automated text-messages during treatment.•Word use analysis was conducted on ecological momentary assessments via text-messages.•Behavioral activation and social support predicted outcome for Latinos in CBT.•Text-messaging has the potential to uncover dynamic patterns of symptom change.