Pathways of long-term AI virtual companion app use on users' attachment emotions: a case study of Chinese users
Mixed-methods study (10 long-term-user interviews plus structural equation modelling on 612 survey responses) of Chinese AI-companion users. Models pathways from usage frequency to emotional attachment and onward to loneliness, well-being, self-concept clarity, and real-world social engagement.
Key Findings
- Usage frequency positively predicted emotional attachment (beta = 0.44)
- Attachment was negatively associated with loneliness (beta = -0.32) and positively with well-being (beta = 0.41)
- Self-concept clarity (beta = 0.51) was the strongest pathway toward real-world social engagement
Methodology Notes
Peer-reviewed, Frontiers in Psychology, Media Psychology section (published 12 January 2026; DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1687686 — the DOI carries 2025 while publication is January 2026). Mixed methods: 10 interviews + SEM on n=612.
Sources
Frontiers in Psychology article (primary)
Authors
Ting Liu, Ting-Yun Lo, Kuo-Hsun Wen, Yue Sun, Zheng-Qi Wei
Tags
Cite This
APA
Ting Liu et al. (2026). Pathways of long-term AI virtual companion app use on users' attachment emotions: a case study of Chinese users. Frontiers in Psychology. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1687686/full
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