German survey finds chatbot users lonelier and more depressed than non-users

Most users turned to chatbots for informational and practical reasons, such as getting information and inspiration or help with text. Those who used chatbots more often to escape negative emotions showed stronger addictive tendencies, and loneliness statistically mediated the link between addictive use and the mental health measures.

The data are cross-sectional, so they cannot show whether chatbots worsen mental health or whether people who are already struggling use them more. Most observed effect sizes were small, and the authors call for experimental longitudinal research to clarify causes.

Researchers recruited a sample from the German adult population through an online survey. The 3,729 users were 57.9% women with a mean age of 42.23, while the 3,583 non-users were 57.4% women with a mean age of 54.28.

Comparing the groups, users reported more loneliness, depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms and less life satisfaction. The authors note that most effect sizes were small, so the differences between groups were modest.

Looking at reasons for use, people mostly used chatbots for practical needs such as information, inspiration and writing help. Using them to escape negative emotions was the pattern tied to addictive tendencies and lower mental health, and loneliness statistically mediated the link between addictive use and mental health outcomes.