Analyzing Social Media to Infer Mental Health Status and Affective States for Crisis and Disaster Management: Scoping Review - Summary - MDSpire

Examining Social Media for Insights into Mental Health and Emotional Conditions in Crisis and Disaster Management: A Scoping Review

  • By

  • Francesca Müller

  • Samuel Tomczyk

  • Frank Fiedrich

  • July 20, 2026

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Objective:

To conduct a scoping review of interdisciplinary literature on the use of social media data in crisis and disaster situations to identify the mental health and affective state of the population.

Approach:
  • Research Questions: 1. What methodological approaches for analyzing social media data are documented in current research literature to infer mental health and affective states of populations during crises and disasters? 2. Which dimensions of mental health and affective states ar…
Key Findings:
  • Social media platforms provide valuable insights into emotional trends, mental well-being, and community needs during crises and disasters.
  • The psychosocial digital situation picture can support community coping mechanisms and informed decision-making in crisis management.
  • There are challenges in analyzing mental health data from social media due to stigma and communication barriers.
Interpretation:

The review emphasizes the integration of psychosocial aspects into crisis management through social media analytics.

Limitations:
  • The existing research often focuses on specific disasters or disorders, lacking a comprehensive view across different contexts.
  • The heterogeneity of the research field and diversity of methodological approaches complicate synthesis.
Conclusion:

This scoping review aims to synthesize fragmented findings across disciplines to enhance understanding of mental health in crisis and disaster management.

Sources:

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