When Users Turn to AI for Mental Health Support: Emotional Bonding with General-Purpose Chatbots

Engineering notes

Engineering notes will be added by the aipentium editorial team.

Chinese explanation / 中文解读

中文解读待补充：本站会优先为大语言模型、生成式AI、ChatGPT相关技术、计算机视觉、深度学习等高价值论文补充中文说明。

Original abstract

Digital therapeutic tools can expand access to psychological support by offering low-threshold assistance. Research to date has focused primarily on therapeutic rule-based chatbots. Meanwhile, an increasing number of users are turning to AI-powered general-purpose chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT) for mental health support. These interactions are often driven by emotional needs, suggesting that users may form relational connections resembling a therapeutic alliance. This study explores users’ relationship and feelings towards these chatbots by analysing Reddit comments. Results suggest that emotional bonding is shaped by interaction characteristics that foster perceived safety, empathy and emotional closeness, enabling self-disclosure. While some aspects resemble components of a therapeutic alliance, the relationship differs due to users’ control over the interaction and an idealization of relational qualities that go beyond expectations in human interpersonal relationships. Chatbots provide accessible support, but risks, including overestimation of therapeutic capabilities and dependence, highlight the need for user education and professional guidance.

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