Work

Gender differences in tweets on postnatal depression: A corpus linguistic analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Gender differences have been found in the way parents communicate online, however it is unclear whether these differences apply in the context of postnatal depression (PND). This research aimed to evaluate online discourses surrounding PND and explore gender differences in communication style associated with PND. X (formerly Twitter) data (15,850 posts) was identified and collected based on a key term search (e.g. 'PND') and analysed using corpus linguistic analysis. Results showed that female X users were more likely to discuss PND using words with a negative connotation or to use self-referent items, compared to male users who discussed PND more generally. X content related to PND was mostly created by female users and generally revolved around the experiences of mothers. The limited discussion regarding paternal PND suggests a lack of acknowledgement and insufficient online resources available for fathers.

Source: Journal of Health Psychology

DOI: 10.1177/13591053251330437

Authors: Iris-Anda Ilies, Pelham Carter, Emily Coyne-Umfreville, Helen Egan

Institution: Birmingham City University

Language: English

Topic: Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650