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TRUVACE RECORD VERSION
record: TRV-2026-2536
version: 1
kind: certified
reason: Certified into the record
timestamp: 2026-11-12T07:49:58.169045Z
status: published
lens: p_space
sector: health
headline: Comparing AI chatbot users and non-users in Germany: Reasons for use, addictive AI chatbot use, mental health, and loneliness
dek: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. To prevent potential negative consequences associated with the use at an early stage, it is crucial to understand its associations with mental health. Therefore, the present study compared people who use AI chatbots with those who do not engage in AI chatbot-interactions in terms of mental health and loneliness. Moreover, we investigated potential mechanisms associated with addictive AI chatbot use. Data of 7,312 persons…
gain_title: (none)
problem_title: In an online survey of 7,312 German adults, AI chatbot users reported significantly more loneliness, depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms and lower life satisfaction than non-users, and using chatbots to escape negative emotions went with more addictive use.
trace_subject: (none)
gain_reading: (none)
gain_evidence: (none)
problem_reading: In an online survey of 7,312 German adults, AI chatbot users reported significantly more loneliness, depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms and lower life satisfaction than non-users, and using chatbots to escape negative emotions went with more addictive use.
problem_evidence: AI chatbot users had significantly higher levels of loneliness, depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms, and significantly lower levels of life satisfaction than non-users. | The frequency of AI chatbot use to escape negative emotions was significantly positively associated with addictive tendencies.
quick_read: An online survey of 7,312 German adults, 3,729 chatbot users and 3,583 non-users, found that chatbot users reported significantly higher loneliness, depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms and significantly lower life satisfaction 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.
limitation: The associations are correlational and most effect sizes were small, so the study cannot show that chatbot use causes worse mental health; the authors say experimental longitudinal research is needed to clarify causal mechanisms.
tag: Evidence-backed problem
key_points: The study surveyed 7,312 German adults online: 3,729 chatbot users and 3,583 non-users. | Users averaged 42.23 years old and non-users 54.28, an age gap between the two groups. | Users scored significantly higher on loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress, and significantly lower on life satisfaction. | Users mainly used chatbots to get information and inspiration and for text-related assistance. | Using chatbots more often to escape negative emotions was positively associated with addictive tendencies. | Loneliness statistically mediated the association between addictive chatbot use and the mental health variables. | Most observed effect sizes were small.
rundown: 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.
sources:
- peer_reviewed | Computers in Human Behavior | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2026.109199 | 2026-09-22
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