Linguistic markers of PTSD symptoms and  decreased cognitive processing in domestic  violence victims during Covid-19

Past research has shown that during natural disasters, domestic violence cases tend to increase. As a result of domestic violence, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are likely to develop which decrease cognitive processing capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on PTSD symptoms and cognitive processing in domestic violence victims through their word use. Linguistic analysis was performed on posts from the domestic violence and control subreddits from 2019 and 2020 (N = 2858). 1 st person singular pronouns and negative emotions were used as markers of PTSD symptoms, and causation, insight, and tentative were used as markers of cognitive processing. The results showed a significant effect for subreddit only with a strong effect size of η 2 = .693. Compared to the control, the domestic violence subreddit showed significantly greater use of 1st person singular and negative emotion, and significantly lower use of...Show morePast research has shown that during natural disasters, domestic violence cases tend to increase. As a result of domestic violence, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are likely to develop which decrease cognitive processing capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on PTSD symptoms and cognitive processing in domestic violence victims through their word use. Linguistic analysis was performed on posts from the domestic violence and control subreddits from 2019 and 2020 (N = 2858). 1 st person singular pronouns and negative emotions were used as markers of PTSD symptoms, and causation, insight, and tentative were used as markers of cognitive processing. The results showed a significant effect for subreddit only with a strong effect size of η 2 = .693. Compared to the control, the domestic violence subreddit showed significantly greater use of 1st person singular and negative emotion, and significantly lower use of insight, causation, and tentative. However, there were no significant effects of year (η 2 = .003) or interaction between year and subreddit (η 2 = .001). Therefore, there was no significant effect of Covid-19. These results highlight the effect of domestic violence trauma, suggesting an increase in PTSD symptoms and a decrease in cognitive processing. Implications and suggestions for future studies are also discussed.Show less

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Linguistic markers of PTSD symptoms and decreased cognitive processing in domestic violence victims during Covid-19