Politics and Mental Health: A Data-Driven Analysis of Toxicity and Moral Values in Public Discourse.

This research analyzes and compares the dynamics of two types of online public debate using data extracted from Reddit between 2017 and 2020. The study focuses on U.S. politics, specifically the 2016 election of Donald Trump, and mental health discussions. The comparison is based on the distinction between Polluted Information Environments (PIEs), marked by polarization and misinformation, and Supportive Information Environments (SIEs), where empathy and support prevail. The analysis explores two key dimensions: moral values and toxicity of interactions. Using social network analysis techniques, the research examines discussion networks, the spread of toxic content, and the role of moral values in debates. Findings indicate that political discourse fosters ideological clashes and hostile language, while mental health discussions, though expressing distress, encourage more supportive interactions. The study’s insights could inform better content moderation strategies, enhancing the quality of online public debate.