Dependence & problematic use
10 studies. 1 is a trial or meta-analysis.
Trial or meta-analysisCohortSurvey, case or reviewOne dot per study. Size is sample size. Select a dot to open it.
By design
Studies
- L2How AI and Human Behaviors Shape Psychosocial Effects of Extended Chatbot Use: A Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Study“Individuals' characteristics, such as higher trust and social attraction towards the AI chatbot, are associated with higher emotional dependence and problematic use. These findings raise deeper questions about how…”arXiv (preprint), 2025 · n = 981 · preprint
- L4Exploring artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot usage behaviors and their association with mental health outcomes in Chinese university students“In conclusion, AI chatbot usage is relatively common among university students, though overuse and severe dependence are infrequent. AI chatbot usage and dependence are associated with higher levels of depression;…”Journal of affective disorders, 2025 · n = 1,004
- L4Impact of media dependence: how emotional interactions between users and chat robots affect human socialization?“Media dependence significantly positively regulates emotional interactions between humans and chatbots. In addition, the social interactions of human users are partially influenced by factors such as user nature, age,…”Frontiers in psychology, 2024 · n = 428
- L4Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) use and dependence: an approach from behavioral economics“The results suggest that young adults exhibit low perceived dependence on GenAI tools but show differential reinforcement values based on usage duration or delay conditions. This behavioral economics approach provides…”Frontiers in public health, 2025 · n = 420
- L4Chatbot Companionship: A Mixed-Methods Study of Companion Chatbot Usage Patterns and Their Relationship to Loneliness in Active Users“These findings have significant implications for responsible AI development, suggesting that one-size-fits-all approaches to AI companionship may be ethically problematic. Our work contributes to the ongoing dialogue…”arXiv (preprint), 2024 · n = 404 · preprint
- L4Living with and without AI: A mixed-methods study on AI usage, addiction, and 'AIlessphobia' in nursing students“The widespread use of AI tools in education produces both positive and negative effects. It is essential for educators to support students in integrating these tools with critical thinking skills and digital…”Nurse education in practice, 2025
- L4Loneliness and AI chatbot dependence in young adults: the mediating role of perceived social support“These findings suggest that robust social support networks may function as a protective factor against emerging forms of AI chatbot dependence and highlight the importance of psychosocial interventions. Accordingly,…”BMC psychology, 2026
- L4Compulsive ChatGPT usage, anxiety, burnout, and sleep disturbance: A serial mediation model based on stimulus-organism-response perspective“Moreover, compulsive usage indirectly contributes to sleep disturbance through anxiety and burnout, demonstrating a significant serial mediation effect. This expanded understanding, derived from a sizable and diverse…”Acta psychologica, 2024
- MapHuman-like conversational agents as social partners: a scoping review of socioaffective mechanisms, well-being outcomes, risks and governance in the post-Turing era“DISCUSSION: We propose an integrative pathway linking model capabilities and product design cues to relational outcomes and outline a companion-specific relational safety stack as a synthesis-based evaluation agenda…”Frontiers in artificial intelligence, 2026
- MapA scoping review on the mental health harms of LLM-based chatbots“Problematic use of LLM-based chatbots, marked by symptoms of emotional or social dependency and withdrawal, correlates with mental health symptoms. Articles on AI psychosis propose several potential links between…”NPJ digital medicine, 2026