解码情绪：探索情感分析在心理治疗中的有效性

Decoding emotions: Exploring the validity of sentiment analysis in psychotherapy

<Psychotherapy Research>, Published online: February 28, 2024

【摘要】目的：鉴于情绪在心理治疗中的重要性，有效的措施对于研究和实践至关重要。由于情绪在不同层面上表达，因此需要多模式测量来进行细致入微的评估。自然语言处理（NLP）可以增强情绪的测量。该研究探讨了心理治疗笔录中情感分析的有效性。方法：我们使用基于Transformer的NLP算法来分析35名患者的85份记录中的情绪。使用自我和治疗师报告以及过程和结果测量，通过相关性、多特征多方法和多水平分析来评估结构和标准效度。结果：结果提供了支持这种情绪有效性的迹象。例如，情绪与同一疗程中自我和治疗师的情绪报告显著相关。情绪与治疗过程（例如应对经历）显著相关，并且整个治疗过程中积极情绪的增加预示着治疗终止后更好的结果。讨论：情感分析可以作为评估心理治疗的情绪基调的有效方法，并可能有助于情绪的多模式测量。未来的研究可以通过非语言行为分析器（NOVA）将情感分析与面部表情和声音提示中的自动情绪识别结合起来。本文讨论了其局限性（例如，进行大量测试的探索性研究）和机会。

【关键词】情绪；情感分析；自然语言处理（NLP）；笔录；多模态测量

[Abstract] Objective: Given the importance of emotions in psychotherapy, valid measures are essential for research and practice. As emotions are expressed at different levels, multimodal measurements are needed for a nuanced assessment. Natural Language Processing (NLP) could augment the measurement of emotions. The study explores the validity of sentiment analysis in psychotherapy transcripts. Method: We used a transformer-based NLP algorithm to analyze sentiments in 85 transcripts from 35 patients. Construct and criterion validity were evaluated using self- and therapist reports and process and outcome measures via correlational, multitrait-multimethod, and multilevel analyses. Results: The results provide indications in support of the sentiments’ validity. For example, sentiments were significantly related to self- and therapist reports of emotions in the same session. Sentiments correlated significantly with in-session processes (e.g., coping experiences), and an increase in positive sentiments throughout therapy predicted better outcomes after treatment termination. Discussion: Sentiment analysis could serve as a valid approach to assessing the emotional tone of psychotherapy sessions and may contribute to the multimodal measurement of emotions. Future research could combine sentiment analysis with automatic emotion recognition in facial expressions and vocal cues via the Nonverbal Behavior Analyzer (NOVA). Limitations (e.g., exploratory study with numerous tests) and opportunities are discussed.

[Key words] emotions; sentiment analysis; natural language processing (NLP); transcripts; multimodal measurement

论文原文：Steffen T. Eberhardt, Jana Schaffrath, Danilo Moggia, Brian Schwartz, Martin Jaehde, Julian A. Rube, et al. (2024). Decoding emotions: Exploring the validity of sentiment analysis in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy Research. Published online: February 28, 2024.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2024.2322522

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