Beyond Benefit or Risk: Perceived Impact Profiles of Human-AI Affective Interaction and Their Associations with Psychological Functioning

Abstract

Relational AI increasingly serves as an emotional shelter for humans, and its impact is mixed. Prior research has focused on either positive or negative impacts, leaving unclear how they are configured within individuals and relate to psychological functioning. To address these gaps, this study used a sequential mixed-methods design. Study 1 interviewed 52 users with emotional ties to AI and identified four positive impact domains (emotional relief, loneliness alleviation, enhanced interpersonal functioning, and personal growth) and four negative impact domains (virtual-real boundary blur, social replacement, cognitive-emotional reinforcement, and excessive use). Study 2 followed 673 Chinese AI users for six months and identified four profiles of individuals differently impacted by relational AI use: minimal impact, benefit-driven impact, mixed impact, and risk-driven impact. Users in the mixed impact and risk-driven impact profiles were both high in human-AI affective bonding, but those showing risk-driven impact had greater vulnerability, indicated by higher interpersonal need frustration and emotion-regulation difficulties, more depressive and anxiety symptoms, and lower self-esteem and flourishing. Users in the benefit-driven and mixed impact profiles showed more favorable psychological functioning. After controlling for baseline functioning and relevant covariates, Wave 1 profiles did not predict five of the six Wave 2 indicators; only users in the mixed impact profile reported higher flourishing than those in the minimal impact profile. Overall, potential psychological harms associated with relational AI engagement appeared limited and selective. These findings portray relational AI as a heterogeneous socio-emotional context that may partly mirror users' states and traits, warranting individualized, adaptive safeguards.