A large U.S. survey published in JAMA Network Open reports that adults who use AI chatbots daily for personal matters—such as advice or emotional support—are more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety than nonusers, with a dose-response pattern as frequency increases. The association did not hold for chatbot use related to work or school. Researchers from Mass General Brigham emphasized the findings are correlational and may reflect people with worse mental health turning to chatbots, even as some users could benefit. Demographically, men, younger adults, higher earners, those with more education, and urban residents reported using AI more often. Psychologists caution against substituting general-purpose chatbots for therapy while calling for more research and encouraging users to monitor whether interactions help or harm their mood.
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— Technology and the Future of Mental Health Treatment (NIMH)
