Dual Chain-Mediation of GenAI Chatbots on Loneliness: Perceived Misinformation Exposure and User Trust via Negative Emotions

Abstract

Objectives Mounting concerns over “AI psychosis” highlight the need to examine psychological risks of GenAI chatbots. Loneliness is a critical outcome of prolonged AI use, often mediated by distorted emotional and cognitive processes. This study tests how GenAI chatbots use is associated with negative emotions, which in turn heighten loneliness through two concurrent mechanisms. Methods We surveyed 516 adults online and applied PLS-SEM with bootstrapped indirect effects and comparative pathway analysis. Results GenAI chatbots use significantly predicted perceived misinformation exposure (β = 0.318, 95% CI [0.231, 0.409]) and user trust (β = 0.383, 95% CI [0.294, 0.473]). Both pathways increased loneliness via negative emotions, with the information-quality pathway (β = 0.062, 95% CI [0.036, 0.099]) stronger than the emotional-trust pathway (β = 0.023, 95% CI [0.009, 0.040]); overall chain effects did not differ. Conclusion GenAI chatbots use contributes to loneliness through dual cognitive and emotional mediations. Given emerging AI psychosis risks, interventions should strengthen misinformation recognition and address trust-related vulnerabilities.

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