Aug 2026· Proceedings of Mensch und Computer 2026· 0 citations· 19 references
TL;DR
While ChatGPT was primarily viewed as an efficient tool in a work context, the quantitative survey reveals a weakly significant correlation between psychological stress and openness toward the social-emotional use of chatbots.
Abstract
English: In light of the rising mental health challenges faced by young adults and the growing prevalence of generative AI, this study examines publicly available chatbots, i.e. ChatGPT, as a source of emotional support. The central question was: To what extent - beyond mere functional utility - can digital closeness between the user and the AI arise, and under what conditions are users willing to trust the system. The study followed a mixed-methods approach. First, a quantitative online survey (N = 235) was used to assess usage motives, technology acceptance, and core needs. Building on this, a qualitative study was conducted with eight participants, who engaged in two chat interactions with ChatGPT in the context of personal psychological distress. These dialogues were evaluated using mini-scales, supplemented by a concluding semi-structured interview to reflect on the experience. While ChatGPT was primarily viewed as an efficient tool in a work context, the quantitative survey reveals a weakly significant correlation between psychological stress and openness toward the social-emotional use of chatbots. However, actual use in sensitive topics was hindered by data security and other concerns.
There is a negative association between the use of AI chatbots for emotional support and parent-child attachment security and data suggest that AI could be utilized as figures of reparations attachment on teenagers with strained family relationships.
Chen Xiao· Advances in Engineering Tech...· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Amid growing concerns surrounding social isolation among older adults, AI chatbots have emerged as promising tools for providing digital companionship. While the intersection of aging and technology has been widely explored, there remains a gap in understanding the nuanced ways in which AI chatbots function as relational partners in older adults' daily lives.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to examine the roles of the AI chatbot in fostering digital companionship for adults in later life.
METHODS
Drawing on a qualitative research design, the study conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with individuals in later life who regularly engaged with AI chatbots. Thematic analysis method was used to synthesize the qualitative data.
RESULTS
Participants described the AI chatbot as multifaceted relational agents-occupying roles such as human-like companions, supportive teachers, specialized consultants, practical assistants, and entertainment facilitators. These interactions were reported to support emotional well-being, enhance cognitive engagement, and promote a sense of self-efficacy in daily living.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings illuminate the profound and diverse ways in which AI chatbots are integrated into the everyday lives of older users, extending far beyond utilitarian functions. As conversational AI continues to advance, designers and policymakers should acknowledge its potential to support aging in place by fostering connection, engagement, and autonomy among older populations.
Yijin Wu, Fengbo Jiao, Haokun Wang et al.· The gerontologist· 0 citations
With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, AI tools like ChatGPT have gradually become a part of the life of students in universities. Previous research has mainly addressed the functional aspects of AI, such as information retrieval and academic support, but the socio-emotional and personalized aspects of AI, and how these shape users’ continued usage behaviour. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of academic support, emotional support, and perceived personalisation on students’ continuance intention toward ChatGPT, with perceived trust acting as a mediating mechanism. This research grounded by the Expectation-Confirmation Theory and Information Systems Continuance Model by incorporating two additional variables: perceived personalisation and academic support and emotional support as antecedents of students’ continuance intention toward ChatGPT. This quantitative study used an online survey to collect data from 263 university students. The proposed model was analysed using SmartPLS-SEM to examine both direct and indirect relationships, with perceived trust specified as a mediating variable. The structural model indicates that academic support and emotional support have significant direct effects on continuance intention. Although perceived personalisation positively influences user trust, its direct effect on continuance intention is not significant. Instead, perceived trust fully mediates this relationship, indicating that personalisation alone does not directly drive continued use unless it first builds user trust. These findings highlight the critical role of trust as a psychological mechanism through which AI personalisation translates into sustained user engagement. The study contributes to the literature on human–AI interaction by integrating cognitive, emotional, and personalisation dimensions within a unified continuance framework. Practically, the results suggest that AI developers should prioritise trust-building mechanisms when designing personalised and emotionally supportive systems to ensure long-term user adoption, particularly in educational contexts.
P. Muthurajan, Hashima Mohaini Mohammad, Nur Afni Halil et al.· International Journal of Mod...· 0 citations
This study concludes that the evolution of human–AI communication represents the emergence of new digital communication practices that expand the role of AI from a mere technological tool to an agent participating in users’ communication experiences.
Faza An’imah, Fitriana Ulya, Luluk Ridotuljana et al.· International journal of res...· 0 citations
The study suggests that AI chatbots work best as a complement to human relationships rather than a substitute for them, in which AI helps with day-to-day emotional regulation while human friendships continue to anchor deeper emotional connection and stability.
Urvashi Chhabra Urvashi Chhabra· International Journal of Cre...· 0 citations
Investigating how individuals form a sense of identity around ChatGPT finds that regular interaction with ChatGPT is associated with the development of a distinct IT identity, and the presence of sufficient resources and organizational or contextual support significantly moderates this relationship, shaping user behaviors in meaningful ways.
Sofia Godinho, Tiago Oliveira, Catarina Neves· Journal of Enterprise Inform...· 0 citations
A new method for surgically removing training examples from a model reveals that as datasets grow, the link between what a model learns and what it produces dissolves.
