Using AI for Advice and Personal Reasons Linked to Depression, Anxiety

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to an increase in its usage for various purposes, including seeking advice and emotional support. However, a recent study has found that people who interact with chatbots for emotional support or other personal reasons are more likely to report symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Methodology of the Study

The researchers from Mass General Brigham surveyed 20,847 mostly white men and women in the United States about their AI usage and mental health symptoms. The survey, published in JAMA Network Open, found that 10.3% of participants reported using artificial intelligence “at least daily” and 5% reported using it “multiple times per day.” Of those using an AI program at least daily, nearly half were using it for work and about 11% used it for school. Among daily users, 87.1% reported using it for personal reasons, which could include recommendations, advice, or emotional support.

Key Findings

Dr. Roy Perlis, a lead author of the study, said that most people’s exposure to artificial intelligence is through chatbots. The mean age of the participants in the study was 47. Those who used chatbots daily for personal reasons were more likely to experience at least moderate depression or other feelings of anxiety and irritability, compared to people who didn’t use AI. Participants were asked whether or how often in the past two weeks they had trouble concentrating, sleeping, eating, or thought about hurting themselves. Common symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, lack of energy, and lacking motivation.

Demographic Analysis

Users with ages between 45 and 64 were more likely to report depressive symptoms with AI use. Previous research has shown that some people turn to AI for emotional support and even romantic relationships. Early studies have shown that chatbots specifically designed for mental health treatment may be useful as an adjunct for therapy. Other studies analyzing general chatbots, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, said they may be problematic to people with mental health conditions.

Implications of the Study

The American Psychological Association advises against using AI as a replacement for therapy and psychological treatment. Perlis said the average difference in depression severity between chatbot users and nonusers was small, but warned some people may struggle more severely than others. “There’s probably a subset of people where AI use is associated with no change in their mood, or even benefit in their mood,” said Perlis, who serves as vice chair for research in the department of psychiatry at Mass General Brigham. “But that also means there are a subset where AI use is probably associated with worsening of their mood, and for some people, that can be substantially greater levels of depression.”

Limitations of the Study

The researchers observed what’s called a “dose response,” meaning the more frequently someone used AI, the stronger their symptoms were. Using AI for work or school wasn’t associated with symptoms of depression. For people who use AI for personal reasons, Perlis said it can “run the gamut” on the nature of their interactions, and AI chatbots are a way of having a “social interaction that otherwise would be difficult for them.”

A Vicious Cycle

It also may be likely that people who are more depressed are more likely to turn to AI programs for companionship. Dr. Jodi Halpern, co-director for the Kavli Center for Ethics, Science and the Public at UC Berkeley, noted the study doesn’t show that AI causes depression. “It could go in either direction,” she said. “It could be a vicious cycle, we just have no idea. So the idea that when people are more depressed, they may use AI more for personal uses is very plausible.” Nicholas Jacobson, associate professor of biomedical data science, psychiatry and computer science at Dartmouth College, said people may seek out AI for therapy if they’re unhappy with standard care and because it’s easier to access.

Conclusion

The study found that men, younger adults, higher earners, those with higher education, and those in urban settings used AI more frequently. Jacobson said it’s not certain why some people may be more likely to use AI, or are more negatively affected by it than others. “We don’t know enough about this,” he said. “I think we need more studies to really understand why it is those groups in particular are more likely to use this, certainly.” Halpern added that future research on AI should focus on its effects on people’s mental health, and this study “stretches our attention to look at the people we might not have been paying attention to.” Perlis’ study isn’t a warning call, he said, but people should take into account their AI use and whether it’s helping them or not. “[People] should be mindful when they’re interacting with a chatbot about how often they’re doing it, what they’re doing it instead of, and if they feel better or worse after they’ve had an extended interaction," he said.
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FAQs

1. What did the study find? The study found that people who interact with chatbots for emotional support or other personal reasons are more likely to report symptoms of depression or anxiety.
2. How many participants were in the study? The study surveyed 20,847 mostly white men and women in the United States.
3. What is the mean age of the participants? The mean age of the participants in the study was 47.
4. What are the common symptoms of depression? Common symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, lack of energy, and lacking motivation.
5. What does the American Psychological Association advise? The American Psychological Association advises against using AI as a replacement for therapy and psychological treatment.