Dual Chain-Mediation of GenAI Chatbots on Loneliness: Perceived Misinformation Exposure and User Trust via Negative Emotions

TL;DR

Using GenAI chatbots can increase loneliness by causing negative emotions through perceived misinformation and reduced trust.

Contribution

This study identifies dual cognitive and emotional pathways linking GenAI chatbot use to loneliness.

Findings

GenAI chatbot use predicted perceived misinformation exposure and user trust.

Negative emotions mediated the relationship between chatbot use and loneliness.

The information-quality pathway had a stronger effect on loneliness than the emotional-trust pathway.

Abstract

Mounting concerns over “AI psychosis” highlight the need to examine psychological risks of GenAI chatbots. Loneliness is a critical outcome of prolonged AI use, often mediated by distorted emotional and cognitive processes. This study tests how GenAI chatbots use is associated with negative emotions, which in turn heighten loneliness through two concurrent mechanisms.

We surveyed 516 adults online and applied PLS-SEM with bootstrapped indirect effects and comparative pathway analysis.

GenAI chatbots use significantly predicted perceived misinformation exposure (β = 0.318, 95% CI [0.231, 0.409]) and user trust (β = 0.383, 95% CI [0.294, 0.473]). Both pathways increased loneliness via negative emotions, with the information-quality pathway (β = 0.062, 95% CI [0.036, 0.099]) stronger than the emotional-trust pathway (β = 0.023, 95% CI [0.009, 0.040]); overall chain effects did not differ.

GenAI chatbots use contributes to loneliness through dual cognitive and emotional mediations. Given emerging AI psychosis risks, interventions should strengthen misinformation recognition and address trust-related vulnerabilities.

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