Gratifications Sought from AI Chatbots, Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction, and Well-Being: Evidence From two Studies
summary:
The use of AI chatbots continues to grow, not only in professional settings but also for personal use. Among the many concerns surrounding these technologies, their potential implications for users’ well-being have therefore received increasing attention. Drawing on an integrated Uses and Gratifications (U&G) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) framework, the present research examines whether different ChatGPT usage motivations are associated with distinct well-being outcomes and whether these associations are mediated by basic psychological need satisfaction. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted. Study 1, based on 485 users (Mage = 41.54, SD = 12.46, 50% men), showed that using ChatGPT for task efficiency was associated with higher non-affective well-being, through greater satisfaction of the need for competence. Study 2 replicated and extended this framework in a sample of 473 emerging adults (Mage = 21.25, SD = 1.97, 49% men). Motivation to use ChatGPT for social interaction was associated with lower relatedness need satisfaction, which in turn was associated with lower well-being. In contrast, playfulness motivation was indirectly associated with higher non-affective well-being through greater autonomy need satisfaction. Overall, the findings suggest that the well-being implications of AI chatbot use may depend on users’ motivations and the psychological needs that these interactions satisfy. Implications for understanding the psychological outcomes linked with AI chatbot use are discussed.